LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Members: Allowances

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Leader of the House pursuant to the answer of 5 November 2008,  Official Report, column 461W, on hon. Members: allowances, 
	(1)  what criteria govern the circumstances under which hon. Members may ask for an advance from the 2009-10 communication allowance allocation;
	(2)  from what date hon. Members will be able to ask for a communication allowance advance from the year 2010-11.

Chris Bryant: The rules on advances of the communications allowance are as set out in the House booklet "The Communications Allowance and the use of House stationery" and the Green Book.
	Members who wish to make use of an advance of the allowance must contact the Department of Resources which considers all requests on their merit. In broad terms, any advance of money from a future year should be no more than 10 per cent. of the allowance and be to meet a non-recurring expenditure item.
	Members must also demonstrate that they will be able to manage within the reduced cash ceiling in the following year and consent to the recovery of any advances from their salary or the resettlement grant if they cease to be a Member and their allowances are overspent.
	To date no advance from the communications allowance for 2009-10 has been requested this year nor were any advances made last year.

Members: Pensions

Julian Brazier: To ask the Leader of the House what procedures will be applied to over-payments of pensions to former hon. Members.

Chris Bryant: A variety of factors contributed to a significant number of pension payment errors by the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund (PCPF) related to the application of the guaranteed minimum pension (GMP). These errors included payment of pension increases at the wrong level and payment of increases too early.
	In 2006 the Chairman of the PCPF Trustees and the Leader of the House agreed to an independent person being appointed to advise on the handling of the overpayments, so as to ensure that the approach adopted was fair and consistent and in line with the best practice on the recovery of overpayments of public money.
	The independent adviser recommended that full recovery action be taken for all overpayments made within the last six years, apart from:
	overpayments of less than £500, unless the scheme member agreed to repay the monies voluntarily;
	overpayments made to members who had since died and whose estates had been settled; and
	other cases where legal considerations supported non-recovery.
	All future payments to scheme members were corrected.

Members: Pensions

Julian Brazier: To ask the Leader of the House how much has been overpaid on pensions to former hon. Members during the last three financial years; what the reasons were for this overpayment; and whether the amount overpaid will be recovered from recipients.

Chris Bryant: A variety of factors contributed to a significant number of pension payment errors by the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund (PCPF) related to the application of the guaranteed minimum pension (GMP). These errors included payment of pension increases at the wrong level and payment of increases too early.
	Over more than 10 years, overpayments totalling some £402,000 were made to 177 scheme members, pensioners and widow(er)s.
	87 scheme members were asked to make repayments, totalling some £185,000.
	Some £253,000 has been written off, which includes a small proportion of the sum originally identified as recoverable.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

Churches: Water Charges

Eric Pickles: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners what estimate the Church Commissioners have made of the aggregate effect of new water charges on the finances of Church of England churches.

Stuart Bell: As I told my hon. Friend the Member for Wirral, South (Ben Chapman) on 11 December 2008,  Official Report, column 671, it is estimated that the new charges will cost Church of England churches and cathedrals around £5 million or more per annum. In addition, churches using the public sewers will also be liable for highways drainage contributions at an estimated cost of £10 million per annum.

ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE

Local Government: Reorganisation

Richard Spring: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission on what grounds the Boundary Committee for England decides which bodies it is prepared to meet during its consultations on local government structural reviews.

Peter Viggers: The Electoral Commission informs me that when carrying out a review the Boundary Committee for England organises a series of roundtable discussions to which it invites the county council, the district councils, the parish and town councils in the county and other bodies who currently work closely with local government and who the committee considers would have views on how any future unitary pattern of local government could work.
	The Commission further informs me that the committee also uses stakeholder lists provided by the councils in order to help identify other individuals, organisations and businesses.

Local Government: Suffolk

Richard Spring: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission on what grounds Forest Heath district council, Waveney district council and St. Edmundsbury borough council have been refused a meeting with the Boundary Committee for England during the consultation period for local government structural review in Suffolk.

Peter Viggers: The Electoral Commission informs me that at stages one and two of the review process the Boundary Committee arranged a series of meetings, both collectively and individually, with local authorities in Suffolk in which representatives from Forest Heath district council, Waveney district council and St. Edmundsbury borough council participated.
	The Commission further informs me that it is the committee's policy to decline meeting requests from local authorities to discuss schemes not included in the committee's draft report.

Local Government: Suffolk

Richard Spring: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what assessment he has made of whether the consultation process undertaken by the Boundary Committee for England in regard to the structural review of local government in Suffolk has so far met all the criteria set out in the Cabinet Office code of practice on consultation to date.

Peter Viggers: The Electoral Commission informs me that the consultation carried out by the Boundary Committee has met all the criteria set out in the Cabinet Office code of practice.

Local Government: Suffolk

Richard Spring: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what his policy is on whether the Boundary Committee for England's structural review of Suffolk local government should consider the views of the general public in the form of petitions as evidence in its deliberations.

Peter Viggers: The Electoral Commission informs me that the Boundary Committee will consider the views of all those who make representations to it, including those in the form of a petition.
	However, the Commission also informs me that the guidance from the Secretary of State to which the committee must have regard states that
	"the volume of representations for or against a proposal should not of itself be considered to provide a definitive view of that proposal's merits".

Local Government: Suffolk

Richard Spring: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission how much money the local government structural review in Suffolk has cost to date; how much of those costs are in respect of  (a) the salaries of those conducting,  (b) consultation and  (c) other costs.

Peter Viggers: The Electoral Commission informs me that the structural review in Suffolk has to date cost £218,757. This can be broken down into the following areas of expenditure:
	
		
			   £ 
			  Category of expenditure  
			  (a) Salaries (including local government consultant) 109,948 
			  (b) Consultation 27,483 
			  (c) Other Costs:  
			 Financial Consultants 65,791 
			 Printing 11,794 
			 Mapping 2,248 
			 Couriers 363 
			 Staff training 1,130 
			 Total 218,757

Policy Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what expert advisers have been commissioned by the Electoral Commission since its inception; on what topic each was commissioned; and whether the adviser so appointed made a declaration of political activity in each case.

Peter Viggers: The Electoral Commission informs me that where records are available this information is presented in the following tables. The process for engaging expert advisers was centralised in mid-September 2008 and therefore the records are complete only from this point forward.
	The Electoral Commission further informs me that there is no statutory restriction on engaging expert advisers based on political activity. However, given the nature of some of the work expert advisers may be asked to undertake the Commission has since mid-September 2008 required all such advisers to complete a declaration of political activity. Prior to mid-September 2008 declarations of political activity were only required of some expert advisers.
	
		
			  Expert advisers hired after mid-September 2008 
			  Adviser  Purpose of appointment 
			 Elizabeth Butler (made political declaration) Independent member of the Audit Committee providing external challenge support and advice 
			 Caroline Morris (made political declaration) To provide legal advice to the Boundary Committee for England and Party and Election Finance Directorate 
			 Trevor Shepherd (made political declaration) Development of enforcement policies and procedures 
			 Steve Kingston (made political declaration) Acting Head of Enforcement 
		
	
	
		
			  Expert advisers hired before mid-September 2008 
			  Adviser  Purpose of appointment 
			 Louise Ferguson Consultancy services on a project on the design of ballot papers 
			 Nicole Smith (made political declaration) Consultancy services on the Commission's response to the White Paper on regulation of Party Funding 
			 Justin Fisher (made political declaration) Professional services to the Party and Election Finance directorate 
			 George Fairbairn Provision of advice, guidance and information to electoral administrators and other interested parties on electoral law and practice in Scotland 
			 Denise Wheatley Provision of advice relating to the Equality Scheme in Northern Ireland 
			 Colin McDonald Review of the Vote Scotland public awareness campaign 
			 John Roberts Legal advisor on parish orders 
			 Terence Scarborough Legal advisor on parish orders 
			 Tessa Dunston Legal advisor on parish orders 
			 Graham Farrant Mentoring of trainee practise advisers and project work on Electoral Administration 
			 Peter Stanyon Electoral Administration Bill guidance

Political Parties: Finance

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what assessment the Electoral Commission has made of the proposals in the Political Parties and Elections Bill that political parties and other donees must take reasonable steps to verify the accuracy of the new declarations for donations over £200; and what assessment the Commission has made of the accuracy of the accompanying Ministry of Justice impact assessment on the issue.

Peter Viggers: The Electoral Commission informs me that the requirement for donation recipients to take all reasonable steps to verify declarations was deleted by Government amendments during the Public Bill Committee on the Political Parties and Elections Bill.

CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES

Academies: Finance

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what he expects the level of revenue spending for  (a) 11 to 16 provision and  (b) 16 to 19 provision in school academies to be each year from 2008-09 to 2010-11; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: It is not possible to disaggregate 11-16 spend on academies from other age ranges without disproportionate expenditure. The following table provides the details of the current level of the academies revenue budget each year from 2008-09 to 2010-11, and identifies specifically the sums within that budget transferred from the Department's 16-19 budget (which is mostly paid to the Learning and Skills Council at present) for sixth form provision. However, the sixth form figure excludes certain academies (former City Technology Colleges) never funded by the LSC.
	The table is based on 55 academy openings in 2009 and 2010. As a result of the National Challenge, the number of actual openings will be greater, but are not yet fixed—although there are likely to be around 80 in 2009. Resources devoted to academies in 2009-10 and 2010-11 will rise accordingly, including the amounts transferred from the 16-19 budget and amounts recouped from local authority allocations of dedicated schools grant, as well as additions from the National Challenge budget for set-up costs.
	
		
			  £ million 
			   2008-09  2009-10  2010-11 
			 Total revenue budget 853.03 1,188.04 1,567.85 
			  Of which :
			 resources transferred in from LSC budget for sixth forms 51.20 84.77 128.31

Academies: Sponsorship

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what procedures apply when the lead sponsor of an academy withdraws from involvement after the academy has been established.

Jim Knight: If a sponsor wishes to withdraw involvement once an academy has been opened then the academy trust and DCSF will agree the best way forward. The prime consideration will be the needs of the pupils at the academy.

Building Schools for the Future Programme

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families which local authorities he expects to join the Building Schools for the Future programme after 2010; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: Including the interim wave we launched this summer, there are now 80 authorities started with projects the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme. The remaining authorities will enter the programme as soon as is practicable. I aim to announce the revised national programme in early 2009, using the revised expressions of interest which authorities submitted by 30 November. The most highly prioritised projects, which will access funding starting from 2011-12, should enter the programme later in 2009 where they demonstrate that they are ready to deliver.

Children in Care

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children are in care in each  (a) primary and  (b) secondary school in each of the principal seaside towns in England.

Beverley Hughes: Classifications that enable analysis at town level, including seaside towns, are not readily available therefore this information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Data have been published by the Department in SFR—Statistical First Release—23/2008: "Children looked after in England (including adoption and care leavers) year ending 31 March 2008". Table LAA1 of that publication provides information on the number of looked after children at 31 March by local authority for the last five years. This publication can be found on the Department's website via the following link:
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000810/index.shtml

Children in Care

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  how many children were in care as a result of their mother's imprisonment in the last year for which figures are available; and what percentage of those children were subsequently returned to their mother's care;
	(2)  how many asylum-seeking children are in care;
	(3)  how many children in care were convicted of a crime in each of the last five years, broken down by type of crime.

Beverley Hughes: Information on the number of children who were in care as a result of their mother's imprisonment and subsequently returned to their care is not held centrally by the Department.
	However, information is collected on the number of children who were in care as a result of absent parenting and this can be found in table A1, taken from the Statistical First Release (SFR 23/2008) entitled 'Children looked after in England (including adoption and care leavers) year ending 31 March 2008'. This shows the number of children looked after at 31 March for 2004 to 2008 by category of need. The reason for the parents' absence is not collected.
	The SFR is located at:
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000810/FinalSFRTablesoct.xls
	Information on the number of asylum-seeking children who are in care can be found in table A4, within the same SFR.
	The OC2 data collection collects information on a range of outcomes for looked after children from local authorities. This information has been published in the Statistical First Release "Outcome Indicators for Children Looked After, 12 months to 30 September 2007—England" (SFR 08/2008), which is available on the Department's website via the following link:
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000785/index.shtml
	This publication contains figures for the period 2005-07.
	Information on the number of children looked after continuously for at least 12 months aged 10 or above convicted of a crime or subject to a final warning or reprimand can be found in table E. Information on the type of crime is not collected centrally.
	Figures for 2002-04 are also published on the Department's website and are available in volume reference (03/2005) here:
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DBA/VOL/v000580/index.shtml

Children in Care: Coastal Areas

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families with reference to the Answer of 26 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 1821-3W, on children in care: coastal areas, if he will make it his policy to collect data on looked-after children by  (a) ward and  (b) lower super output area in the principal seaside towns of England.

Beverley Hughes: We do not intend to collect data centrally on looked-after children by ward and lower super output area in the principal seaside towns of England.
	In line with our commitments in the Local Government White Paper, "Strong and Prosperous Communities" we aim to
	"reduce radically the number of nationally-required local targets, performance indicators and reporting"
	and to replace these with a
	"revised Local Area Agreement (LAA) process through which central Government and local partners will agree and manage a limited number of improvement targets for each local area".
	However local authorities will often be collecting information at ward/town level to aid their priority setting and performance management arrangements.

Children: Protection

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families with reference to his Statement of 20 November 2008,  Official Report, column 376, on safeguarding children, 
	(1)  what professional advice he was given regarding the publication of the serious case review; and from whom;
	(2)  on what legal basis he has decided he may not publish the serious case review for Baby P.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 8 December 2008
	The Department does not routinely publish advice to Ministers.

Children: Protection

David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children were on the Child Protection Register in the year ended March  (a) 2004,  (b) 2005,  (c) 2006,  (d) 2007 and  (e) 2008.

Beverley Hughes: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 26 November 2008,  Official Report, column 1834W
	http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm081126/text/81126w0076.htm

Children: Protection

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families on how many occasions he has rejected the advice of the expert panel created in 2006 as to whether a person on the sex offenders' register should be employed to work with children; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: There have been no occasions when the Secretary of State has rejected the advice of the expert panel on whether a person should be barred from working with children. The panel was established in January 2006. The panel's role in advising on ongoing List 99 cases was transferred to the new Independent Safeguarding Authority on 31 March 2008.
	Any person who has been convicted or cautioned for a sexual offence against a child since 28 February 2007 has been automatically placed on List 99—these cases have not required the advice of the panel.

Children's Centres

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what plans he has to take forward proposals for legislation affecting Sure Start Children's Centres following the recent public consultation exercise; and when he expects the findings of the consultation to be published.

Beverley Hughes: Yes, we plan to legislate for Sure Start Children's Centres as part of the forthcoming Children, Skills and Learning Bill. The public consultation exercise 'Legislating for Sure Start Children's Centres' closed on 6 November and we received over 300 replies. An overwhelming 97 per cent. of respondents agreed with our proposal to give Sure Start Children's Centres a firm legislative basis. We will publish the consultation report on the Department's consultation website:
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/consultations/
	by the end of December.

Departmental Official Hospitality

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much his Department and its predecessors spent on entertainment and hospitality in each year since 1997.

Edward Balls: The following table sets out spending on entertainment and hospitality in £ thousand for the Department for Children, Schools and Families and its predecessor Departments in the relevant years.
	
		
			   £000 
			 1996-97 24 
			 1997-98 21 
			 1998-99 31 
			 1999-2000 21 
			 2000-01 25 
			 2001-02 11 
			 2002-03 16 
			 2003-04 20 
			 2004-05 35 
			 2005-06 45 
			 2006-07 4 
			 2007-08 16 
		
	
	The Department's policy on entertainment is in accordance with the principles of Treasury guidance in Managing Public Money and the handbook on Regularity, Propriety and Value for Money.
	Entertainment expenditure is limited to occasions when official business can best be transacted in that way. Personal entertainment, in the form of hospitality, is usually restricted to where senior managers (deputy director or above) are acting as host and expenditure must be approved in advance by a director or executive board member.

Departmental Publications

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families with reference to the answer of 21 October 2008,  Official Report, columns 326-7W, on departmental publications, which documents his Department has circulated in exceptional circumstances to schools since December 2004.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: To retrieve the information as to which documents the Department has circulated to schools in exceptional circumstances since December 2004 can be obtained only at a disproportional cost.

Education Maintenance Allowance

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families with reference to the answer of 26 November 2008,  Official Report, column 1836W, on the education maintenance allowance, how many students have  (a) received a notice of entitlement for the education maintenance allowance,  (b) successfully enrolled and  (c) received at least one payment, broken down by (i) local authority and (ii) constituency.

Jim Knight: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) who operate the education maintenance allowance (EMA) for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). Mark Haysom the LSC's chief executive, will write to the hon. Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.

Education Maintenance Allowance

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether he was kept informed of the number of students who had  (a) applied for a notice of entitlement,  (b) received a notice of entitlement,  (c) enrolled on a course and  (d) received a payment during his communications with the Learning and Skills Council about the administration of the education maintenance allowance.

Jim Knight: Since the beginning of September officials have received daily processing statistics, supplied by the contractor via the LSC, which have included each of the areas in question. These data have been relayed to Ministers in the regular updates they have received on the processing of education maintenance allowance applications.

Education Maintenance Allowance

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how regularly he has met or had communication with the Learning and Skills Council to monitor the administration of education maintenance allowance payments.

Jim Knight: In response to the recent EMA delivery issues Ministers and officials have had direct contact with the LSC on a regular basis. This has included both correspondence and meetings. Since August Ministers have also received regular updates from officials, based upon their communication with the LSC. These updates have been received on a daily basis since the beginning of September.

Education Maintenance Allowance

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what his most recent estimate is of the percentage of eligible people claiming education maintenance allowance in  (a) England,  (b) the North East,  (c) Tees Valley district and  (d) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency.

Jim Knight: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) who operate the education maintenance allowance (EMA) for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). The helpline, assessment and payment function for EMA transferred to Capita from 28 November 2008. Mark Haysom the LSC's chief executive, will write to the hon. Member for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.

Education Maintenance Allowance

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many pupils are receiving hardship payments as a result of a delay in receiving their education maintenance allowance payments; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) who operate the education maintenance allowance (EMA) for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). The helpline, assessment and payment function for EMA has transferred to Capita as from 28 November 2008. Mark Haysom the LSC's chief executive, will write to the hon. Member for Beverley and Holderness with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.

Education Maintenance Allowance

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many education maintenance allowance payments for 2008 he expects will have been made by 1 January 2009; how many such payments for 2007 had been made by 1 January 2008; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) who operate the education maintenance allowance (EMA) for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). The helpline, assessment and payment function for EMA has transferred to Capita as from 28 November 2008. Mark Haysom the LSC's chief executive, will write to the hon. Member for Beverley and Holderness with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.

Faith Schools

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many schools he and his predecessors have designated as being of a religious character in each of the last 10 years.

Jim Knight: The following table shows the number of brand new maintained faith schools that have opened in each of the last 10 years. All faith schools are designated as having a religious character under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 and the Religious Character of schools (Designation Procedure) Regulations 1998.
	
		
			   Number of new faith schools 
			 1998 3 
			 1999 6 
			 2000 3 
			 2001 6 
			 2002 10 
			 2003 10 
			 2004 14 
			 2005 12 
			 2006 7 
			 2007 7 
			 2008 6 
			 Total 84 
		
	
	These figures include former independent faith schools that have joined the maintained sector. They do not include new faith schools resulting from schools amalgamating or faith infant and junior schools amalgamating to be replaced by a primary school.

General Certificate of Secondary Education

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children in  (a) Bedfordshire,  (b) South Bedfordshire and  (c) South West Bedfordshire constituency took one or more science GCSE in the latest year for which figures are available.

Jim Knight: The requested information is given in the following table for GCSE science entries in 2008:
	
		
			   Total number of pupils at the end of KS4 entered for GCSE Science 
			 Bedfordshire 4,683 
			 South Bedfordshire 1,364 
			 South West Bedfordshire 1,099 
			  Note:  The data is provisional and subject to change.

Health Education: Skin Piercing

Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families if he will take steps to encourage schools to educate children and young people on the issues surrounding body piercing, with particular reference to the risk of infection.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Pupils learn to assess and manage the element of risk in personal choices and situations as part of the Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education. The programme of study focuses on teaching children and young people the skills to recognise risk, minimise harm and to make choices and decisions in a range of contexts, based on accurate information obtained through their own research. Schools may use topics such as body piercing to illustrate and develop the skills needed to deal with risky behaviour.

Higher Education: Finance

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps the Government plan to take to increase funding for university  (a) research and  (b) staff costs.

David Lammy: I have been asked to reply.
	Funding for higher education has increased by 24 per cent. in real terms since 1997 and will have increased by some 30 per cent. by 2010, with higher education research funding set to rise to £1.9 billion by 2010-11 in addition to the funding that universities secure from research councils. Funding for staff and other costs are for universities to determine in the light of the overall level of resources available to them and the need to take sustainable decisions.

Intellectual Property Review

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families when his Department plans to take forward recommendation 36 of the Gowers Review and match penalties for online and physical infringement of copyright.

David Lammy: I have been asked to reply.
	Penalties for criminal copyright infringement must be proportionate to the harm caused to UK industries, so that they act as an effective deterrent. We have recently (31 October) completed a consultation on introducing exceptional summary maxima (above £5,000) in the magistrates courts for offences of online and physical copyright infringement.

Islam and Citizenship Education

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families in how many mosque schools the Islam and citizenship education programme is being piloted; in which cities these schools are located; how the pilot will be evaluated; and when he expects the programme to be rolled out nationally.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Islam and citizenship education project is being piloted in 30 mosque schools in London, Bristol, Leicester, Bradford/Kirklees and Oldham/Rochdale. The Institute of Community Cohesion has been commissioned to evaluate the project. The draft lessons are freely available online to all mosque schools and will be updated in April 2009 following the end of piloting.

Languages: GCSE

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families in how many comprehensive schools 50 per cent. or more of pupils achieved a modern languages GCSE at grade A* to C in 2007.

Jim Knight: In 278 comprehensive schools(1) 50 per cent. or more of the pupils achieved a modern language GCSE at A* to C in 2007.
	The data were taken from the 2007 Achievement and Attainment Tables.
	(1 )Only schools with 10 or more pupils are included in the answer.

National Curriculum Tests

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what marks were required in Key Stage 2 tests in  (a) English and  (b) mathematics to achieve a level (i) 4 and (ii) 5 in (A) 1999, (B) 2006, (C) 2007 and (D) 2008.

Jim Knight: The National Assessment Agency (NAA) is responsible for administering national curriculum tests. The NAA has provided the following table of marks required in Key Stage 2 English and mathematics tests to achieve Level 4 and 5. NAA uses a range of statistical and judgmental procedures to ensure that the standards of performance required for the award of each level are maintained consistently from year to year. The content of each test changes every year, therefore different numbers of marks may be required in different years to achieve a certain level. Levels are anchored to the National Curriculum so that a level 4 achieved in one year represents the same level of performance as a level 4 achieved in any other year.
	
		
			(a) KS2 English  (b) KS2 Maths 
			(i) Level 4  (ii) Level 5  (i) Level 4  (ii) Level 5 
			Reading  Writing  Overall  Reading  Writing  Overall   
			 (A) 1999 17 31 48 31 39 70 52 80 
			 (B) 2006 18 25 43 33 37 70 46 78 
			 (C) 2007 18 25 43 33 37 70 46 79 
			 (D) 2008 18 25 43 32 37 69 45 78

National Curriculum Tests

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families when he expects a decision to be made on a replacement contractor for next year's key stage tests; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) announced Edexcel as its preferred bidder for the one-year contract to deliver key stage 2 national curriculum tests for 2009 on 15 December 2008.

Pre-school Education

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many five-year-olds did not start formal education until the autumn term in each year since 2001; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The requested information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Pupil Exclusions: Special Educational Needs

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what proportion of fixed period exclusions were given to pupils  (a) with special educational needs and  (b) who were children in care in (i) secondary and (ii) primary schools in each year since 1997.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Data on the number of pupils with fixed period exclusions was collected for the first time for the school year 2003/04, therefore data can only be provided for the last four school years. Information on the number of fixed period exclusions given to pupils with special educational needs is shown in the table.
	Analysis of the number of exclusions of children on the school census, who were in-care at the time of the exclusion would incur disproportionate cost. The number of permanent exclusions of looked after children is however provided by the Department's Outcome Indicators for Looked After Children collection (OC2), which is available at
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000785/index.shtml.
	This collection does not cover fixed period collections.
	
		
			  Primary and state funded secondary schools( 1,2) : Number and proportion of fixed period exclusions by special educational needs( 3) —2003/04 to 2006/07( 4,5) —England 
			   Maintained primary schools  State funded secondary schools( 2) 
			   Number of exclusions  Percentage of fixed period exclusions( 6)  Number of exclusions  Percentage of fixed period exclusions( 6) 
			  2003/04( 4) 
			 Pupils with statements of SEN 5,610 13.6 20,430 7.1 
			 Pupils without statements of SEN(7) 35,690 86.4 267,600 92.9 
			  O f which: 
			 Pupils with SEN without statements 23,490 56.9 109,410 38.0 
			 Pupils with no SEN 12,200 29.5 158,190 54.9 
			 All pupils(8) 41,290 100.0 288,050 100.0 
			  
			  2004/05( 4) 
			 Pupils with statements of SEN 5,730 13.1 21,980 6.7 
			 Pupils without statements of SEN(7) 37,990 86.9 307,700 93.3 
			  O f which: 
			 Pupils with SEN without statements 24,860 56.9 124,980 37.9 
			 Pupils with no SEN 13,130 30.0 182,710 55.4 
			 All pupils(9) 43,720 100.0 329,680 100.0 
			  
			  2005/06( 4,5) 
			 Pupils with statements of SEN n/a n/a 23,560 6.8 
			 Pupils without statements of SEN(7) n/a n/a 324,750 93.2 
			  O f which: 
			 Pupils with SEN without statements n/a n/a 166,640 47.8 
			 Pupils with no SEN n/a n/a 158,120 45.4 
			 All pupils(10) n/a n/a 348,310 100.0 
			  
			  2006/07( 4) 
			 Pupils with statements of SEN 6,240 13.6 23,660 6.5 
			 Pupils without statements of SEN(7) 39,470 86.3 339,530 93.5 
			  O f which: 
			 Pupils with SEN without statements 30,690 67.1 179,160 49.3 
			 Pupils with no SEN 8,780 19.2 160,370 44.1 
			 All pupils(11) 45,730 100.0 363,270 100.0 
			 n/a = Not available (1) Includes middle schools as deemed. (2) Includes both CTCs and academies. (3) The number of fixed period exclusions per SEN type expressed as a percentage of all fixed period exclusions per school type. (4) In 2003/04, information on fixed period exclusions was collected for the first time via the Termly Exclusions Survey. (5) For the 2005/06 school year, only information on fixed period exclusions from secondary schools was available. (6) The number of fixed period exclusions expressed as a percentage of the number (headcount) of all pupils (excluding dually registered pupils) in January each year. (7) Includes pupils with no identified SEN and those pupils with SEN without statements. (8) Totals include 12 fixed period exclusions for which SEN status was not known. These have been included in the total column only. (9) Totals include two fixed period exclusions for which SEN status was not known. These have been included in the total column only. (10) Totals include 48 fixed period exclusions for which SEN status was not known. These have been included in the total column only. (11) Totals include 140 fixed period exclusions for which SEN status was not known. These have been included in the total column only.  Note: Totals may not appear to equal the sum of component parts because numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10.  Source: School Census

Schools: Admissions

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps his Department has taken to reduce the school drop-out rate in  (a) England,  (b) the North East,  (c) Tees Valley district and  (d) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency.

Jim Knight: The Government have put in place a number of actions to encourage and support young people to remain in learning beyond compulsory schooling. These include:
	the September Guarantee, an offer of a suitable place in learning for all young people leaving Year 11, was extended this year for the first time to 17-year-olds, to support young people on short courses or who were NEET during the year to re-engage. Latest data shows that over 94 per cent. of 16-year-olds and almost 80 per cent. of this 17-year-old group received an offer of a place in learning this year;
	a range of financial support is available to young people to help them continue in education or training. This includes education maintenance allowance, learner support funds, residential bursaries, Care to Learn and dance and drama awards;
	the NEET strategy (November 2007) introduced a number of measures to increase participation including a duty on providers to notify Connexions when a young person drops out of learning, and encouraging providers to offer more flexible and responsive provision throughout the academic year.
	The Learning and Skills Council has a specific responsibility to raise participation in each local area.
	As a result of local and national action and support 78.7 per cent. of young people were in education and training at the end of 2007—the highest rate ever, whilst the proportion of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) reduced 1 percentage point from 10.4 per cent. in 2006 to 9.4 per cent. in 2007, the equivalent of 20,000 fewer young people NEET.
	In the North East, 76 per cent. of 17-year-olds were in education and training at the end of 2006 (the latest date for which data are available). In 2007 the proportion of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) in the North East was 10.0 per cent. Data are not available for Tees Valley or Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland as the data cannot be broken down to area or constituency level.

Schools: Standards

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families with reference to the answer of 26 November 2008,  Official Report, column 1865W, on schools: standards, to which national challenge school the answer refers.

Jim Knight: I will write to my hon. Friend with the information requested and will place a copy of my response in the Library.

Sex and Relationships Education Steering Group

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  if he will place in the Library a copy of each piece of written evidence that has been presented to the Sex and Relationships Education Steering Group; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will place in the Library a copy of each piece of research which has been commissioned by the Sex and Relationship Education Steering Group; what the cost was of each; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  how much has been spent by the Sex and Relationships Education Steering Group in each year since its establishment; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  what discussions  (a) he,  (b) Ministers in his Department and  (c) officials in his Department have had since January 2008 with the Roman Catholic church on material disseminated by his Department to Catholic schools on sex and relationship education; what views the Catholic church put forward in those discussions; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The Sex and Relationships Education (SRE) steering group was established in March 2008 and had its final meeting in October 2008, at which it signed-off its report and recommendations to Government. Steering group members were reimbursed travelling expenses, but were not paid a fee for participating in the review.
	To inform its consideration of the issues, the steering group commissioned:
	Two on-line surveys: one seeking young people's views on the SRE they had received at school; and the other seeking teachers' views on what was preventing more effective delivery of SRE. The young-people survey was supplemented with a residential event with a small group of UK Youth Parliament members to discuss issues in more detail. The administration of the surveys, the analysis of the results and facilitation of the residential event were undertaken by the Sex Education Forum, which was paid £13,625 to carry out this work; and
	Two literature reviews: one which reviewed the existing evidence on parents' views on SRE; and one which reviewed the international evidence on the impact of SRE. These reviews were carried out free of charge by Professor Roger Ingham, from the Centre for Sexual Health Research, Department of Psychology, University of Southampton, who was a member of the SRE review steering group.
	The total cost of the review was £18,630.
	Presentations were made to the steering group, summarising the key findings of the on-line surveys and literature reviews. A copy of each presentation will be placed in the House of Commons Library. In addition, a number of individuals and organisations submitted evidence to an 'SRE Review' e-mail account that was established to allow those who were unable to be accommodated on the steering group itself, to submit views. These submissions were circulated to the SRE review steering group for their consideration. Copies of these submissions will also be placed in the House of Commons Library.
	Oona Stannard, Chief Executive of the Catholic Education Service was a member of the SRE Review steering group and was in full agreement with the group's report and recommendations. Other than the SRE guidance published in 2000, and the non-statutory programmes of study for Personal Well-Being issued in 2007, the Government have not issued guidance to Catholic or other schools on SRE delivery. The resources that schools use to support delivery of their SRE programmes are determined by each individual school.
	The Government published their response to the report by the SRE review steering group on 23 October. A copy of both the group's report and the Government response are available at:
	http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/docbank/index.cfm?id=13030

Social Services: Complaints

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many complaints were made against social services departments in each local authority area in Yorkshire and the Humber in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: This information is not collected centrally. However, local authorities are required to keep a record of:
	each representation/complaint received;
	the outcome of each, that is, the decisions made in response to the representation/complaint and any action to be taken; and
	whether there was compliance with the time limits.
	Each local authority must produce an annual report drawing on this information. This report should not contain personal information that is identifiable about any individual complainant.

Young People: Mental Health

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what assessment he has made of the recommendations relevant to his Department's policy responsibilities made in the Foresight report on Mental Capital and Wellbeing, with particular regard to those recommendations concerning young people and adolescents; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: We welcome the Foresight report 'Mental Capital and Wellbeing: Making the Most of Ourselves in the 21st Century', published in October 2008. The report's broad analysis and recommendations are very much in line with the approach in the Children's Plan. In particular, we welcome the distinction made in the report between the development of positive well-being and tackling of mental health conditions.
	We are already taking forward key programmes of work that are highlighted within the report such as work around parenting, children's social and emotional skills and the early years foundation stage.
	In addition, the Government's initial response to the final report of the independent review of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, 'Children and Young People in Mind', published on 18 November, set out a strong package of proposals and action that are directly relevant to much of the Foresight report's findings. We have set up a National Advisory Council for children's mental health and psychological well-being to advise us on implementing the recommendations of the independent review of CAMHS report and hold us to account on progress. Services for vulnerable children have been identified as a key priority area for the implementation of the CAMHS review's recommendations.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Child Support Agency: Pay

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans there are to pay bonuses to staff at the Child Support Agency in respect of the present year.

Kitty Ussher: The administration of the child maintenance system is a matter for the commissioner of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Child Maintenance Commissioner.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans there are to pay bonuses to staff at the Child Support Agency in respect of the present year.
	The Child Support Agency was an executive Agency of the Department for Work and Pensions until 31 October 2008 when responsibility for the Agency and its people transferred to the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission. In this present year the Commission will operate bonus schemes similar to those already agreed when the Agency was part of the Department for Work and Pensions.
	There are two bonus schemes: the individual performance bonus scheme and the special bonus scheme. Individual performance bonuses are based on annual appraisals markings and are awarded at the end of the operational year. Additional special bonuses can be awarded to an individual outside the annual appraisal system, to recognise and reward an exceptional personal or team achievement.
	I hope you find this answer helpful.

Children: Maintenance

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what consideration is made of the implications for child poverty in second homes when debts to the Child Support Agency are enforced.

Kitty Ussher: The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission is responsible for the child maintenance system. I have therefore asked the Child Maintenance Commissioner to write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Child Maintenance Commissioner as the Child Support Agency is now the responsibility of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what consideration is made of the implications for child poverty in second homes when debts to the Child Support Agency are enforced.
	Child maintenance debt is owed by non-resident parents to their children as a result of their failure to meet their financial responsibilities. If the non-resident parent has a second family with which he or she lives the children of that family are taken into account in the maintenance calculation and the non-resident parent's liability is adjusted accordingly. There is an over-riding duty to consider the welfare of the child in child support law and this extends to the responsibility the non-resident parent may have towards any second family. The Child Support Agency also takes into account representations of hardship from the non-resident parent when negotiating an arrears arrangement.
	I hope you find this answer helpful.

Children: Maintenance

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much uncollectable Child Support Agency arrears has been categorised as  (a) probably and  (b) possibly uncollectable, broken down by debt analysis type.

Kitty Ussher: The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission is responsible for the child maintenance system. I have therefore asked the commissioner to write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Child Maintenance Commissioner.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much uncollectable Child Support Agency arrears has been categorised as (a) probably and (b) possibly uncollectable broken down by debt analysis type.
	The Agency undertakes an annual debt analysis exercise based on a sample of cases, to estimate the amount of debt assessed as collectable, and that which is deemed either possibly, or probably uncollectable. The results of this annual sample exercise are subject to review by the National Audit Office as part of their audit of the Agency's accounts. The estimate for the year ending March 2008 was published with the Agency's 2008 Annual Report and Accounts in July this year. A copy of the Annual Report and Accounts can be found in the House of Commons Library or on line at the following link:
	http://www.csa.gov.uk/en/about/publications-corporate. asp#AnnRep
	The latest estimate is also routinely published in Table 22 of the Agency's Quarterly Summary of Statistics, and has been set out in the attached table for ease.
	It should be noted that classing a debt as possibly or probably uncollectable does not mean the Agency will not take action in the future to collect any outstanding money. The Agency will continue to make every effort to ensure parents fulfil their financial responsibility to their children.
	I hope you find this answer helpful.
	
		
			  Child Support Agency 
			   £ billion 
			 Total gross child maintenance debt outstanding at March 2008 3.8 
			  Of which:  
			 Possibly uncollectable(1) 0.1 
			 Probably uncollectable(2) 2.2 
			 Collectable(3) 1.5 
			 (1) "Possibly uncollectable" debt refers to amounts outstanding which the debt analysis exercise revealed some uncertainty over whether it will be collected. The amounts are considered doubtful where, for example, payments have been infrequent or it has not been possible to establish an arrears agreement or impose a deduction of earning order. (2) "Probably uncollectible" debt refers to the amount outstanding which the debt analysis exercise revealed is likely to be very difficult to collect due, for example, to the lack of contact with, or the personal circumstance of, the non-resident parent. In many of these cases, the Agency has suspended recovery action until such time as the individual's circumstances change. (3) "Collectable" debt refers to the amount outstanding which the debt analysis exercise revealed is likely to be collected. This takes into account factors such as regular contact with the non-resident parent, where regular payments are being made or an arrears agreement has been set up.  Notes: 1. Figures are taken from the Agency's annual report and accounts and from table 22 of the Child Support Agency Quarterly Summary of Statistics. 2. Figures are rounded to the nearest £0.1 billion.

Children: Maintenance

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many uncleared Child Support Agency applications there have been in each month since May 1997.

Kitty Ussher: The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission is responsible for the child maintenance system. I have therefore asked the Commissioner to write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Child Maintenance Commissioner as the Child Support Agency is now the responsibility of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many uncleared Child Support Agency applications there have been in each month since May 1997.
	Information on the number of uncleared cases is routinely published in Tables 1 and 2.1 and the Summary and Target sections of the Child Support Agency Quarterly Summary of Statistics, the latest copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library or online at:
	www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/csa.asp.
	Table 1 provides the available information on old scheme cases, by quarter from May 1999, information prior to this date is not available. Table 2.1 provides the information requested for current and old scheme cases but not including cases cleared clerically, from March 2003 when the current scheme was introduced.
	Under its three year Operational Improvement Plan, the Agency committed to reduce the number of current scheme applications to 90,000 by the end of March 2009. As of September 2008 the Agency had reduced the number of uncleared current scheme cases by 66% from 220,100 cases in March 2006 to 75,700 including cases cleared clerically.
	I hope you find this answer helpful.

Children: Maintenance

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many letters requesting payment of child maintenance arrears have been sent to non-resident parents by the Child Support Agency in each month in the last three years;
	(2)  how many requests for full settlement of outstanding arrears of child maintenance have been sent to non-resident parents by the Child Support Agency in each month in the last three years.

Kitty Ussher: I have consulted with the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission who have confirmed that the information requested is not available.

Departmental Conditions of Employment

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what guidance his Department provides to its managers on the right of employees of the Department to request flexible working; and what estimate his Department has made of the extent to which its staff in offices across the country have taken up this right.

Jonathan R Shaw: Departmental guidance supports managers by covering both the legislative requirement and the Department's application of its legislative requirement for employees to change the hours they work, the times they are required to be at work and also the ability to work from home.
	At the end of October 2008, 35 per cent. (39,440) of employees in DWP were on part-time flexible working contracts. In addition there are employees who job share or work from home, either contractually or on an ad hoc basis.

Departmental Contracts

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many contracts his Department and its executive agencies have made with the training provider Inspire2Independence; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what steps Jobcentre Plus has taken to encourage the involvement of football clubs in Inspire2Independence's welfare to work programme;
	(3)  what assessment he has made of the performance of Inspire2Independence's football-related contracts with his Department and its agencies in  (a) involving people outside the working population and  (b) helping such people into work.

Jonathan R Shaw: Inspire2Independence currently hold three DWP contracts for the delivery of welfare to work provision. The organisation plays a valuable role both in terms of delivering a range of welfare to work services and in helping develop activity to improve performance of welfare to work commercial services generally.
	Jobcentre Plus has played no role in encouraging the involvement of football clubs in provision delivered by Inspire2Independence, though they are responsible for managing the referral of customers to provision. The "Coaching Academy" model developed by Inspire2Independence does make use of a number of football club facilities to deliver its services.
	Inspire2Independence were given a challenging implementation plan and their performance against this is improving month by month. Their performance in November was in the top 25 per cent. of DWP welfare to work providers and overall they are achieving mid range performance.

Departmental Data Protection

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether responsibility for data security is assigned at a senior level and included within relevant job descriptions in his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Department's Information Security Committee (a sub-committee of the Department's Executive Team) is responsible for information security issues across the Department. Operational responsibility for security is assigned to respective chief executives and heads of businesses. Other senior staff in the Department's agencies have specific responsibilities for promoting data security and report to their respective chief executives. Following the publication of the Cabinet Office's Review of Data Handling Procedures in Government, specific senior civil servants across the Department have been designated as information asset owners who provide assurance to the Department's senior information risk owner that data assets are properly protected.

Departmental Data Protection

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what independent assurance he has obtained on the adequacy of data security and information governance arrangements across his Department and its associated agencies.

Jonathan R Shaw: Independent assurance on the adequacy of the Department's controls is provided from a range of sources including internal audit reviews conducted in accordance with governance arrangements that are overseen by the Departmental Audit Committee, comprising an independent chair and independent members.
	In addition, new procedures introduced as part of Cabinet Office's review of data-handling procedures in Government, have led to the designation of information asset owners—senior staff—who provide assurance to the Department's senior information risk owner on the adequacy of the arrangements for the management of information assets. The departmental security officer, who is independent of the operational management chain, also provides an annual assessment on the prevailing level of security, and the consequent assurance that can be obtained across the broad range of security risks, including those relating to information.
	These assurances, along with other information, will be used to inform the statement of internal control which will be published in the Department's resource account for the year ending 31 March 2009.

Departmental Data Protection

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what formal data owners there are for each dataset held by his Department and its agencies; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: In accordance with the Cabinet Office's report on Guidance on Mandatory Roles: AO, SIRO, IAO (accounting officer, senior information risk owner and information asset owner) published in April 2008, the Department has appointed a senior information risk owner and information asset owners who will have responsibility for meeting the requirements of the Cabinet Office data handling report.

Departmental Data Protection

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the adequacy of  (a) staff recruitment and management practices,  (b) administrative processes and  (c) technical controls in maintaining data security in his Department and its agencies.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Department takes its responsibilities for data security very seriously. In the last year, the Department has made substantial and extensive improvements to its handling arrangements for such data including the implementation of the recommendations of the Cabinet Office review of data handling procedures in Government.
	In respect of the specific information sought, the following measures have been introduced:
	 (a) Staff recruitment: the Department has introduced additional background checks on new recruits, including the checking of identity and criminal records.
	 (b) Administrative processes: new procedures have been introduced that have considerably tightened up the handling of information, including improvements in the way data is transferred across the Department, and exchanged with external partners. Staff have been provided with improved guidance; security and discipline policies are being reviewed and refreshed; and major steps have been taken to improve security awareness.
	 (c) Technical controls: all the Department's laptop computers have been encrypted, and strict IT controls implemented which prohibit the use of unencrypted media (memory sticks, disks, etc). Wherever possible, data is transferred electronically rather than relying on physical media.

Departmental Data Protection

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what  (a) procedures and  (b) staff training programmes his Department has put in place on maintaining data security.

Jonathan R Shaw: A wide range of new procedures has been developed and introduced, including implementation of encryption products for physical media and laptops, restrictions on the transfer of certain categories of information, and better control where paper documents are moved by courier services. All these changes have been supported by improved guidance to staff. In addition all new staff now undertake security awareness training as part of their routine induction. These activities are being supplemented by a concerted and significant campaign of staff awareness.

Departmental Data Protection

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what records his Department maintains in relation to the classes of data held by his Department and its agencies.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Department is registered as a data controller in accordance with the Data Protection Act, and the records maintained in relation to personal data comply with that registration. A very wide range of data records are necessary to deliver the extensive range of services and benefits administered by the Department. Such records as are held will vary according to the particular requirements of the related purpose under the legislation.

Departmental Data Protection

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on how many occasions  (a) information and  (b) data was (i) lost and (ii) stolen from his Department in each year since 1997; and what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of recovering such losses.

Jonathan R Shaw: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave the hon. Member for Ceredigion (Mark Williams) on 22 October 2008,  Official Report, column 408W.

Departmental Gifts

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many members of staff in his Department have received gifts valued at £100 or higher in the course of their duties in each of the last three years; what these gifts were; and from whom they were received.

Tony McNulty: The following table shows the number of staff within the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) who received gifts valued at £100 or higher in the course of their duties within the last three years:
	
		
			   Number  of staff  Details of gifts received  Estimated  v alue of gifts (£)  From whom the gifts were received 
			 2006 1 12 bottles of wine 150 London Business School 
			 2006 1 Leather Folder, pen and book 150 Booz Allen Hamilton 
		
	
	None of the aforementioned items were kept by the individual recipient but were retained by the Department and used for official purposes.
	The rules and guidance on receipt of gifts by civil servants are set out in the Civil Service Management Code, and in departmental staff handbooks.

Departmental ICT

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to the answer of 26 November 2008,  Official Report, column 1960W, on departmental ICT, 
	(1)  how many individuals have been disciplined over the loss of the items referred to;
	(2)  what steps have been taken to reduce future losses of ICT equipment;
	(3)  how much has been spent trying to recover the missing items referred to;
	(4)  which of the items of ICT equipment recorded as lost or stolen had software protection installed; and if he will make a statement;
	(5)  what assessment he has made of the types of data held on the ICT equipment which has gone missing from his Department since 2001; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Department takes very seriously its responsibilities to safeguard personal and other sensitive data. In the last 12 months, a number of major changes have been made in the way that data is handled and stored, especially insofar as items of removable equipment (such as laptop computers and memory sticks) are concerned. Significant improvements have been introduced, including the widespread deployment of encryption.
	The information about lost and stolen equipment, given in response to the question referred to, was obtained from centrally maintained records of security incidents. Detail is not available from these central records to indicate the nature of disciplinary action that was taken in individual cases. Such information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost, given that the bulk of these incidents occurred a number of years ago. However, the Department is currently reviewing its disciplinary policies to better reflect the importance which it attaches to the security of valuable assets and information.
	Following the Cabinet Office Review of Data Handling Procedures in Government, the Department has designated senior staff as information asset owners, who are personally accountable for providing assurance in relation to the information assets within their respective business areas. Additional steps taken to reduce future losses include measures which prevent employees from copying information to removable media, except where this has been encrypted.
	Information on the costs of seeking to recover earlier lost or stolen equipment and which of such items had software protection installed is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental ICT

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what records his Department keeps of computer  (a) software failures,  (b) viruses,  (c) hacking attacks and  (d) denial of service attacks.

Jonathan R Shaw: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer the Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr. Timms) gave the hon. Member for Hornchurch (James Brokenshire) on 10 March 2008,  Official Report, column 17W.

Departmental Information Officers

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many dedicated Jobcentre Plus  (a) special advisers and  (b) press officers his Department employs.

Jonathan R Shaw: Jobcentre Plus has no dedicated special advisers or press officers employed by the Department.
	Their work is just one of the responsibilities looked after by the special advisers and press officers employed for the Department.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to the answer of 22 July 2008,  Official Report, column 1207W, on speeches, how much Mr. Phil Collins has been paid for speech-writing services to his Department to date.

Jonathan R Shaw: Nothing.

Departmental Pay

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make it his policy to ensure that those temporary and permanent employees at the same grade in his Department who are paid at an hourly rate are paid at the same rate.

Jonathan R Shaw: DWP treats temporary and permanent employees in the same way. All employees are paid on the basis of an annual salary and not an hourly rate. The appropriate starting salary is determined by grade and employees are normally recruited onto the minimum of their pay band. Progression up the pay band is based upon the annual pay review. It is possible for employees within a grade to be on different rates of pay but this is normally due to factors such as individual length of service or the effects of pay increases following previous promotion.

Departmental Press Releases

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many press releases his Department has issued in the last 12 months.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Department has issued 245 press notices in the last 12 months.
	This includes ministerial press releases, policy announcements, statistical and analytical releases. The Department also issued press releases for Jobcentre Plus, Office for Disability Issues, Pensions, Disability and Carers Service and several advisory committees.
	It also includes operational notes alerting the media to briefings and visits.

Departmental Rail Travel

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on what date he last used a train in the course of his official duties.

James Purnell: I last used the train for official duties on Wednesday 3 December 2008.

Employment Services: Cancer

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what information his Department and its agencies provides on returning to work to those who have had cancer.

Tony McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what information his Department and its agencies provides to those who have had cancer on returning to work. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	People with a health condition or disability, including those people who have had cancer, can get a range of information and support from Jobcentre Plus. Customers in receipt of incapacity benefits or the Employment and Support Allowance can access Pathways to Work, which offers a series of interviews with a specialist personal adviser, a condition management programme and the possibility of financial incentives when the customer returns to work. People making a fresh claim for incapacity benefits will be required to take part in Pathways to Work and existing customers can volunteer for the help available.
	Customers in receipt of other benefits or no benefits, who have a disability that affects them in the workplace, can receive information and support from the Disability Employment Adviser. The Disability Employment Adviser can also provide access to a number of specialist programmes that can help them move into paid work, including, Work Preparation, Residential Training and WORKSTEP, a programme of supported employment.
	Access to Work may also be available to those customers with a long term disability. Access to Work gives the customer and their employer advice and support with extra costs which may arise because of the customer's needs. The programme can provide grants towards the additional costs of travelling to work; providing Support Workers; adapting work premises, and providing special aids and equipment in the workplace. Disability Employment Advisers can signpost customers to Access to Work.
	Customers have access to a variety of leaflets from jobcentres. In addition, information about the help that may be available to people with a health condition or disability is available on the internet at:
	www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk or www.direct.gov.uk.
	I hope this information's helpful.

Employment Services: Redundancy

Anne Moffat: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps Jobcentre Plus is taking to assist people recently made redundant back into work.

Tony McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what steps Jobcentre Plus is taking to assist people recently made redundant back into work. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	A person who is made redundant and makes a claim to Jobseeker's Allowance is interviewed by one of our Personal Advisers, to explain the help and support available which is then tailored to their individual needs. They are helped to draw up a job plan and Jobseeker's Agreement, which is reviewed fortnightly. Jobseekers can also access job vacancies on our website and our electronic jobpoints, as well as contact our Jobseeker Direct telephone helpline.
	We have also recently introduced a "Finding your way back to work" leaflet to help people understand what help is available, and a "Jobkit" to help those made redundant in preparing to find a new job.
	Where a business announces a number of redundancies we provide our Rapid Response Service to support the employer and employees. This can involve a range of support, such as workplace briefings by Jobcentre staff, skills assessments, and advice on how to look for a new job. The budget for this service was doubled this year, from £3m to £6m, and will be doubled again next year to £12m. This will enable us to deal more effectively with situations involving 20 or more redundancies, or where there is a group of smaller redundancies in one locality.
	We have also announced that more people who are made redundant will get help through Programme Centres. These provide people with different kinds of help such as help in CV-writing and gaining jobsearch skills. Access to Programme Centres was previously restricted to those furthest from the labour market. Advisers will now have the discretion to allow any customers to access this help as soon as they become unemployed. This will be useful for people who have been in work for a long time and have no recent experience of job hunting.
	We are also extending the successful Local Employment Partnerships to provide help for newly redundant people. Through these, Jobcentre Plus is already working successfully with over 13,000 employers, and has helped over 70,000 people into work.

Employment Vacancies

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many job vacancies there were in  (a) Hemel Hempstead,  (b) Hertfordshire and  (c) England at the latest date for which figures are available.

Tony McNulty: The available information is in the table.
	
		
			  Jobcentre Plus vacancies in England, Hertfordshire local authority area and Hemel Hempstead parliamentary constituency as at October 2008 
			   Notified vacancies  Live unfilled vacancies 
			 England 313,928 335,266 
			 Hemel Hempstead Parliamentary Constituency 691 627 
			 Hertfordshire Local Authority 5,742 5,443 
			  Notes: 1. Interpretation of these data needs to take account of changes in recent years to Jobcentre Plus procedures for taking and handling vacancies. These figures are not fully comparable over time and may not indicate developments in the labour market. A more detailed explanation is available on the nomis website. 2. Notified vacancies include any speculative placings recorded by Jobcentre Plus. Datasets from May 2006 may reflect substantially reduced levels of speculative placings as part of the notified series. Consequently, care should be taken in interpreting time-series data. 3. The stocks of unfilled vacancies reflect more accurately job opportunities available via Jobcentre Plus. In the case of unfilled vacancies, use of the figures on live vacancies is recommended (i.e. excluding suspended vacancies), and this is the default option. Live vacancies may still include some vacancies which have already been filled or are otherwise no longer open to recruits, due to natural lags in procedures for following up vacancies with employers. 4. Data are unrounded. 5. Figures cover only those vacancies advertised through Jobcentre Plus, and so will not capture all available vacancies. Comprehensive estimates of all job vacancies (not just those notified to Jobcentre Plus) are available from the monthly ONS Vacancy Survey since April 2001, based on a sample of some 6,000 enterprises. However, the ONS survey is currently designed to provide national estimates only.  Source: Jobcentre Plus Labour Market System.

European Social Fund

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the European Social Fund spending announced on 15 October 2008 and 4 November 2008 came from funds already in his Department's budget for the spending period 2008-09 to 2010-11.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 18 December 2008
	The European social fund spending is additional to the funds in the Department's budget for the spending period 2008-09 to 2010-11.

Income Support

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to the answer of 16 July 2008,  Official Report, columns 474-5W, how many and what proportion of his Department's 8,950 customer-facing staff have received specific training on the changes to the eligibility rules for income support which came into effect in November 2008; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave her on 20 October 2008,  Official Report, 145W.

Income Support: Mortgages

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent discussions he has had with Treasury Ministers on income support mortgage interest.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 18 December 2008
	We continue to work jointly with other Government Departments including HM Treasury to consider how best we can support those borrowers who may be facing difficulties.
	In the pre-Budget report on 24 November, the Chancellor announced two further enhancements to the support that we provide to owner-occupiers through the income-related benefits. The standard rate of interest used in Support for Mortgage Interest will be fixed for six months at 6.08 per cent. for all customers who receive help with their mortgage repayments. And the capital limit up to which interest can be paid on eligible housing costs will increase from £100,000 to £200,000 for new, some repeat, and some existing customers from January.

Jobcentre Plus

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the total net change in personnel in Jobcentre Plus in each of the next two calendar years.

Tony McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what estimate has been made of the total net change in personnel in Jobcentre Plus in each of the next two calendar years. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Information on estimated changes in Jobcentre Plus personnel is currently unavailable in calendar years. Our workforce plans are prepared by financial year, which runs from April to March. For the 2009/10 year, current estimates are that there will be a net increase of around 6,000 full time equivalent staff. Plans for 2010/11 are under review in the light of the increase in 2009/10, and a firm figure is not yet available.

Jobcentre Plus: Closures

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to the answer of 26 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 1993-4W, on Jobcentres, 
	(1)  how many Jobcentres were  (a) opened and  (b) closed in each year for which figures are available;
	(2)  for what reasons the number of Jobcentre Plus offices has decreased.

Tony McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions asking how many Jobcentres were  (a) opened and  (b) closed in each year for which figures are available, and for what reasons the number of Jobcentres has decreased.
	This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	I am only able to provide information relating to Jobcentre Plus since its creation in April 2002.
	The table below sets out  (a) the number of newly transformed Jobcentres which have opened since April 2002 and  (b) the number of offices which were open to the public and subsequently closed as part of Jobcentre Plus transformation. The majority of Jobcentre closures since April 2002 are a consequence of that transformation programme with a small number being attributable to service delivery reviews subsequently undertaken by Customer Service Directors.
	
		
			   Transformed Jobcentres rolled out by Jobcentre Plus  Jobcentre Plus offices open to the public and subsequently closed 
			 2002 12 2 
			 2003 257 47 
			 2004 217 95 
			 2005 163 99 
			 2006 142 157 
			 2007 13 49 
			 2008 4 54 
			 Total 808 503 
		
	
	In common with most large, modern organisations the great majority of our services are now delivered through the telephone and internet. For example, to give customers more convenient access, we have more than half a million vacancies on-line at any time (our website receives close to one million job searches every working day), and new claims to benefit are predominantly taken by telephone with some taken on-line. We remain the largest office network in Government with 747 modern Jobcentres which are supported by 31 contact centres and 79 main benefit processing centres. This has brought our customer facing services together in a more coherent and integrated network and I believe Jobcentre Plus is well-placed to respond to the full range of economic conditions.
	I have asked the Customer Service Directors in our Regions to review their service delivery plans for every Jobcentre Plus District in the light of the current economic conditions and welfare reform changes planned for the next two to three years. This exercise will be completed by early 2009. As an immediate measure, I have decided to suspend proposed further Jobcentre closures while the current economic uncertainties exist, which will allow us to increase our capacity to deliver services to those in need of help.

Jobcentre Plus: Finance

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate his Department has made of the budget required for the Jobcentre Plus network in each of the next five years.

Kitty Ussher: The Department's published three-year plan is available in the Library and sets out the planned expenditure of Jobcentre Plus over the CSR2007. The Department will publish a revised plan before the end of the current financial year providing further details on future Jobcentre Plus expenditure.

Jobcentre Plus: Manpower

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to the answer of 26 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 1993-4W, on Jobcentres, how many people were employed in Jobcentres in each year for which figures are available.

Tony McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question, with reference to the answer of 26 November 2008, Official Report, columns 1993-4W, on Jobcentres, how many people were employed in Jobcentres in each year for which figures are available. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	The table shows the number of full time equivalents (FTEs) that have been identified as being employed within Jobcentres each year within the period April 2003 to March 2008. Information prior to April 2003 is not available.
	
		
			   Number of FTE staff in Jobcentres 
			 April 2003 33576.19 
			 March 2004 36080.59 
			 March 2005 40008.09 
			 March 2006 40400.27 
			 March 2007 26028.53 
			 March 2008 27870.67 
			  Notes: 1. Headcount figures are quoted in full-time equivalents using the Office for National Statistics criteria for counting headcount. 2. The figures quoted include all staff who have been identified as being employed within a Jobcentre. It does not include individuals in Social Security Offices or regional/district offices.  Source: Jobcentre Plus Management Information Portal.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of jobseeker's allowance applications received by Jobcentre Plus were from people who had claimed jobseeker's allowance within the previous  (a) three,  (b) six and  (c) 12 months of the claim being made in each quarter of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The information requested is not routinely collected and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what activities qualify as work-type activity for the purposes of receiving jobseeker's allowance.

Tony McNulty: In order for a person to qualify for jobseeker's allowance they must be available for, capable of, and actively seeking work.
	Actively seeking work means that a person must carry out a reasonable number of activities, normally a minimum of three, every week in trying to secure work. At the beginning of a claim and at regular intervals thereafter, the customer will discuss with their adviser what employment they are looking for. They will then be required to actively seek work in whatever way is most appropriate for that type of employment and their individual circumstances. These activities will be agreed by both parties.
	When considering the reasonableness of the activities, the adviser will take into account the customer's skills, qualifications and abilities, along with any personal limitations they may have. They will also consider how long the customer has been unemployed and the current availability of that work in the local labour market.
	Examples of the types of activities a person may engage in are: speculative enquiries with employers; using all means available to locate suitable work, such as Jobseeker Direct, Jobpoints, internet, newspapers and magazines; registering with appropriate recruitment and employment agencies; and applying for all suitable jobs by the most appropriate means. This list is not exhaustive.

Jobseeker's Allowance: Bexley

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what courses were offered to claimants of jobseeker's allowance in the London borough of Bexley in the last 12 months; and what the cost was per person of each course completed.

Tony McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what courses were offered to claimants of Jobseeker's Allowance in the London borough of Bexley in the last 12 months and the cost per person of each course completed. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	I have enclosed a table which details the courses offered, with a brief description of each course, its duration, delivery location and the cost per customer of completing a course.
	
		
			  Courses available to customers in London Borough of Bexley within last 12 month period—contracted provision 
			  Course  Description  Duration of course  Delivery location  Cost per customer (£) 
			 Programme centres Individually tailored job search for customers six months+ on JSA 13 weeks PDRC Bexleyheath 367.30 
			  
			  Self-employment 
			 Stage 1 Initial assessment One day Bexley JCP 60.20 
			 Stage 2 Completion of business case and preparation for S/E Eight weeks TBA between TNG and customer 354.60 
			 Stage 3 Test Trading 26 weeks TBA between TNG and customer 2,616.75 
			 Independent Assessment Basic skills assessment One day Greenwich Alliance 65.00 
			  
			  New deal programmes 
			 Gateway to Work(1) Job search, advice and guidance, CV preparation. Two weeks CDG Eltham; CDG Greenwich; A4E Woolwich 786.35 
			 New Deal Mentoring One-to-one support tailored to individual needs Fortnightly sessions CDG Greenwich 696.94 
			 Sound Engineering and Music Provision Preparing clients for career in music industry 13 weeks Deptford 1,450.76 
			 Management and Professional Specialist provision for graduates and professional customers 13 weeks CDG Croydon 1,920.17 
			 ESOL Support for clients with very limited English 13 weeks CDG Eltham 3,847.77 
			 Basic Skills Employability Training Basic skills training, career development, work trails and work placements 26 weeks Bromley Field Studies 3,847.77 
			 Numeracy and Literacy Numeracy and literacy training towards qualifications. Work placements and job search 26 weeks CDG Eltham; A4E Woolwich 3,847.77 
			  
			  New deal FTET 18-24 years 
			 Business Administration Tailored learning plans and work placements 13 weeks CDG Eltham 1,717.66 
			 Retail and Customer Service Tailored learning plans and work placements 13 weeks CDG Eltham; CDG Greenwich 1,717.66 
			 Hospitality Tailored learning plans and work placements 13 weeks A4E Woolwich 1,717.66 
			 Security Guard Training Tailored learning plans and work placements. SIA licence 13 weeks CDG Greenwich 1,920.17 
			 Construction and Motor Mechanics Tailored learning plans and work placements. CSCS licence 13 weeks Study Xpress Woolwich 2,122.69 
			 Teaching Assistant(2) Practical training and work placement 20 weeks Twin Training Lewisham 2,643.29 
			 ETF Band C Work placements in occupational areas and job search 13 weeks CDG Greenwich; A4E Woolwich 2,189.49 
			 Horticulture ETF Band C Horticulture skills and duties 13 weeks Bromley Field Studies 2,189.49 
			 VS Band B Admin, Retail, Leisure, Hospitality Work placements and job search in occupational areas 13 weeks CDG Greenwich; A4E Woolwich 2,031.51 
			 VS Band C Management, Health Care and Media Work placements and job search in occupational areas 13 weeks CDG Greenwich; A4E Woolwich 2,189.49 
			  
			  New deal IAP Age 25+ 
			 Business Administration Tailored learning plans and work placements 13 weeks CDG Eltham 2,031.51 
			 Retail and Customer Service Tailored learning plans and work placements 13 weeks CDG Eltham; CDG Greenwich 2,031.51 
			 Hospitality Tailored learning plans, with work placements 13 weeks A4E Woolwich 2,031.51 
			 Security Guard Training Tailored learning plans and work placements. SIA licence 13 weeks CDG Greenwich 2,343.23 
			 Health care and Public Services Tailored learning plans and work placements 13 weeks CDG Greenwich 2,189.49 
			 Horticulture Horticulture skills and duties 13 weeks Bromley Field Studies 2,189.49 
			 Construction and Motor Mechanics Tailored learning plans and work placements. CSCS licence 13 weeks Study Xpress Woolwich 2,343.23 
			 Teaching Assistant(2) Practical training and work placement 20 weeks Twin Training Lewisham 2,643.29 
			 Fork Lift Practical training 13 weeks CDG Greenwich 2,475.77 
			 LGV Driving Cert C Practical training 13 weeks Training in Transport NW10 7AR 3,204.18 
			 LGV Driving Cert CE Practical training 13 weeks Training in Transport NW10 7AR 4,197.67 
			  
			  ESF 
			 Hardest to help(3) Personalised support modules, motivation and confidence building  Outreach at Bexley JCP 1,923.08 
			 Intensive Job search CV and application support  Outreach at Bexley JCP 1,853.96 
			 (1) Available at six months for customers 18 to 24 years and at 18 months for customers 25 years+. (2) Available from September 2008. (3) Available from November 2008.  Abbreviations key: FTET = Full Time Education Training IAP = Intensive Activity Period VS = Voluntary Sector ETF = Environmental Task Force ESF = European Social Fund ESOL = English as a Second language  Providers: CDG: Careers Development Group—New Deal prime contractor. A4E, Bromley Field Studies, Study Xpress, and Twin Training—all subcontractors of CDG. PDRC: Personal Development Resource Centre—programme centre prime contractor.

Maintenance

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many new cases have been brought to the Child Support Agency in the last 12 months; and how many of these cases the CSA has started maintenance payments.

Kitty Ussher: holding answer 15 December 2008
	The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission is responsible for the child maintenance system. I have therefore asked the Child Maintenance Commissioner to write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Child Maintenance Commissioner.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many new cases were brought to the Child Support Agency (CSA) in the last 12 months; and in how many of these cases the CSA has started maintenance payments.
	The information requested is provided in the attached table and is routinely published in tables 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 of the Child Support Agency Quarterly Summary of Statistics. The latest version is available in the House of Commons library or online at the following link:
	http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/csa.asp
	It should be noted that in July 2008 compulsion to use the Agency was lifted for all new parents with care claiming income based benefits. Prior to this a proportion of new applications received from Jobcentre Plus were in fact change of circumstances to existing cases or are actually closed prior to a maintenance schedule being set up. These applications are included in the attached table.
	As there can be a delay between the time an application has been assessed, and maintenance requested and the receipt of the first payment of maintenance a larger proportion of applications made in recent months will therefore not yet have started payment. The number of applications resulting in a payment for recent months will therefore increase over time, and these figures will be revised in future versions of the Quarterly Summary of Statistics.
	I hope you find this answer helpful.
	
		
			  Number of current scheme applications cleared each month and the number of those that have resulted in a maintenance payment being made 
			  Month  Applications cleared  Maintenance due( 8)  Percentage  Payment received  Percentage 
			 October 2007 29,000 9,300 32 8,200 88 
			 November 2007 29,800 10,000 34 8,900 89 
			 December 2007 20,400 7,000 34 6,200 89 
			 January 2008 27,900 8,800 32 7,900 90 
			 February 2008 30,700 9,300 30 8,300 89 
			 March 2008 27,000 9,000 33 7,900 88 
			 April 2008 28,000 9,200 33 7,900 86 
			 May 2008 26,400 8,500 32 7,300 86 
			 June 2008 30,400 8,900 29 7,400 83 
			 July 2008 31,900 8,100 25 (5)6,400 79 
			 August 2008 (4)20,900 (4)5,100 24 (5)3,200 (5)63 
			 September 2008 (4)15,300 (4)4,200 27 (5)1,500 (5)36 
			  Notes: 1. Applications for the period include all applications from potential non-resident parents or parents with care as well as, for the period to 14 July 2008 all applications from Jobcentre Plus when a parent with care applies for benefits and their details are sent directly to the Agency. Many of these applications are in fact a change of circumstance on an existing case or are closed prior to a maintenance schedule being set up. 2. Applications resulting in a payment include cases both where a payment has been made through the Agency and where a maintenance direct agreement has been arranged between a non resident parent and parent with care. 3. This table consists of information already published in tables 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 of the Child Support Agency Quarterly Summary of Statistics. 4. From 14 July 2008, new benefit claimants were no longer compelled to use the Child Support Agency. This has resulted in a reduction in the number of applications and potential applications received from Jobcentre Plus and therefore the number of clearances. 5. A significant proportion of applications cleared and which have progressed to payments stage in August and September 2008 will not yet have received the first payment, the number of cases cleared in these months that subsequently receive payment will rise. 6. The figures in this table are a snapshot of the status of cases at the end of September 2008 and are therefore subject to revision. 7. This table counts applications for Child Support. Not all applications become live cases. Information on the number of cases that are progressed clerically is not included in this table. 8. Refers to cases assessed as initially having a positive maintenance liability, which also progress to payment stage, including Maintenance Direct Cases. It does not include cases initially assessed with a positive maintenance liability which are subsequently closed or reassessed as not having a maintenance liability.

Maintenance

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission plans to take to speed up the enforcement process, with particular reference to non-compliant self-employed non-resident parents.

Kitty Ussher: The administration of the child maintenance system is a matter for the Commissioner of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Child Maintenance Commissioner.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Committee plans to take to speed up the enforcement process, with particular reference to non-compliant self-employed non-resident parents.
	The Child Maintenance and Other Payments Act 2008 will provide the Commission with tools to establish reliable collection as quickly as possible and enable it to streamline the enforcement process and take action at the earliest opportunity.
	The Commission will be able to make deduction orders to administratively remove funds from bank accounts, either periodically or in a lump sum, without going to court. Deduction orders can be used in cases where a deduction from earnings order (currently the most important enforcement tool used by the Commission) cannot, for example because the non-resident parent is self-employed.
	The requirement to apply to the courts for a liability order before taking enforcement action will be removed and replaced with an administrative process; and the procedure for registering liability orders in the county court will be rationalised enabling swifter more effective enforcement action to be taken.
	I hope you find this answer helpful.

Mental Health Services

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the recommendations relevant to his Department's policy responsibilities made in the Foresight report on Mental Capacity and Well-Being, with particular reference to the costs to the benefits system of those with mental ill-health; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: In general, the Foresight report provided helpful reassurance that scientific evidence supports the welfare reforms the Government are and will be making. More specifically, as chapter 8 sets out, its findings fed into Professor Dame Carol Black's review of the health of the working population of Britain. The Government have accepted her recommendations and will be developing the first ever cross-Government national strategy for mental health and employment, which will help us improve work outcomes for people with mental health problems across the spectrum. This will incidentally contribute to benefit savings as well as their health and wellbeing.

National Insurance: Fraud

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of national insurance numbers which were used for fraudulent purposes in each of the last five years.

Tony McNulty: The national insurance number (NINO) is a unique personal reference number used for tax, national insurance contributions, social security benefits, state pension, tax credit and student loan award purposes. The number links an individual with their tax payments and national insurance contributions to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs and the Department for Work and Pensions, and is needed to make a claim to benefit. Estimates of NINOs used fraudulently for all of these purposes are not available.
	DWP has robust checks in place to prevent NINOs being used fraudulently within the benefit system. Where DWP identifies that a NINO has been used for attempted benefit fraud or where DWP is aware that a NINO may be vulnerable to fraudulent use, the relevant NINO record is annotated accordingly. Any subsequent benefit claim using that NINO would automatically be subjected to close scrutiny, and if appropriate, referral to DWP's Fraud Investigation Service.
	The number of NINO accounts annotated for these reasons over the last five years is in the following table.
	
		
			   Number of marked accounts 
			 2003-04 2,341 
			 2004-05 1,087 
			 2005-06 2,521 
			 2006-07 2,965 
			 2007-08 3,234

New Deal Schemes

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what modelling his Department has conducted on economic and labour market conditions in assessing the  (a) funding and  (b) anticipated employment outcome of the flexible new deal contracts; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave her on 26 November 2008,  Official Report, 2006W.

Pathways to Work

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much he plans to spend on the pathways to work programme in  (a) 2008-09,  (b) 2009-10 and  (c) 2010-11.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 15 December 2008
	The Department for Work and Pensions has allocated around £1 billion in the pathways to work programme between 2008 and 2011. A breakdown of planned expenditure is in the table.
	
		
			  Pathways to Work planned expenditure 
			   £ million 
			 2008-09 280 
			 2009-10 380 
			 2010-11 380 
			  Notes: 1. Figures provided for 2008-09 are budgeted allocations based on invitations to tender. Actual spend will be reported in due course. 2. Figures provided for 2009-10 and 2010-11 are indicative allocations based on current assumptions and are subject to change.

Pathways to Work: Disabled

Janet Dean: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what provisions are in place for incapacity benefit and employment support allowance claimants participating in pathways to work to access specialist disability employment services.

Tony McNulty: Jobcentre Plus offers support to incapacity benefit and employment and support allowance customers participating in pathways to work to access specialist disability employment services through the advice and guidance provided by specialist incapacity benefit and employment and support allowance advisers, disability employment advisers in Jobcentre Plus offices and the provider in provider-led pathways to work districts.
	These advisers provide support advice and guidance about what services are available, and suitable, for customers and how they can access them.

Pension Credit

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether restitution payments made to holocaust survivors are disregarded for the purposes of calculating entitlement to pension credit.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 18 December 2008
	 Lump sum payments made to compensate those who were slave labourers, forced labourers or suffered personal injuries or property loss during World War II are fully disregarded when calculating entitlement to pension credit.
	In addition payments made to parents whose child died during the Second World War are fully disregarded when calculating entitlement to pension credit.
	Social security pensions paid by the German or Austrian Government are fully taken into account. However pensions paid under special provisions by the German or Austrian Government to victims of National Socialist persecution are taken into account subject to a £10 disregard when calculating entitlement to pension credit.

Pension Credit: Leeds

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people claimed pension credit in Leeds West constituency in each year since 2005.

Rosie Winterton: The answer is in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of households recipients and individual beneficiaries of pension credit in Leeds, West parliamentary constituency 
			  As at May each year  Household recipients  Individual beneficiaries 
			 2005 4,580 5,440 
			 2006 4,640 5,550 
			 2007 4,610 5,510 
			 2008 4,600 5,520 
			  Notes: 1. The number of households in receipt are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Household recipients are those people who claim pension credit either for themselves only or on behalf of a household. 3. Individual beneficiaries includes both claimants and their partners.  Source: DWP Information Directorate Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study 100 per cent. data

Pension Credit: Overpayments

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much pension credit has been clawed back by his Department in each  (a) month of 2007-08 and  (b) of the last five financial years; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The information in relation to pension credit overpayment recoveries for each month in 2007-08 is in the following table:
	
		
			   £ million 
			  2007-08  
			 April 2.3 
			 May 2.2 
			 June 2.4 
			 July 2.4 
			 August 2.5 
			 September 2.5 
			 October 3.2 
			 November 2.9 
			 December 2.4 
			 January 2.5 
			 February 2.5 
			 March 2.2 
			 Total 30.0 
			  Note:  Rounded to the nearest decimal point. 
		
	
	In relation to pension credit overpayment recoveries in past years, I refer the hon. Member to the written answer the Minister of State, (Mr. McNulty) gave the hon. Member on 26 November 2008,  Official Report , volume 170, column 2014W .

Post Office Card Account

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department is taking to ensure  (a) that those receiving payments from his Department may opt to use the Post Office card account on the same basis as any other method of payment and  (b) that the process to select the option to use the Post Office card account is neutral in its effect as between alternative payment methods.

Rosie Winterton: Opening a Post Office card account is already very straightforward and we have plans to make it even easier for customers by automating parts of the process. We provide information which helps customers choose the account which best meets their needs and circumstances, including making the card account easily available to those who need it. And more than 10,000 new Post Office card accounts are opened on average each month.
	We have already made changes to the booklet being sent to existing cheque customers so that it explicitly refers to the Post Office card account. We have also updated the messages that staff use when speaking to customers to reflect the fact that the Post Office card account will now continue until at least 2015. Other communications material will be kept under review.

Poverty: Children

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the number of disabled children living below the poverty line in  (a) Hemel Hempstead and  (b) Hertfordshire in each of the last 10 years;
	(2)  how many and what percentage of children in each age group in  (a) Hemel Hempstead and  (b) Hertfordshire were living in absolute poverty in each year since 1997.

Kitty Ussher: The information requested is not available.
	Our child poverty statistics, published in the Households Below Average Income series, only allow a breakdown of the number of children in relative or absolute poverty at Government office region level. Information is therefore not available at parliamentary constituency or county level.

Poverty: Leeds

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department is taking to tackle child poverty in Leeds West constituency; and if he will make a statement.

Kitty Ussher: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave him on 26 November 2008,  Official Report, column 2024W.

Social Security Benefits

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many unemployment benefit claimants there were in each quarter of the last 30 years.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 15 December 2008
	The available information has been placed in the Library.

Social Security Benefits

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost of processing  (a) disability living allowance,  (b) attendance allowance and  (c) carers' allowance was in (i) 2006-07 and (ii) 2007-08.

Jonathan R Shaw: The information is in the following table:
	
		
			  Cost of processing disability living allowance (DLA), attendance allowance (AA) and carer's allowance (CA) 
			  £ million 
			  Benefit  2006-07  2007-08 
			 DLA 127 132 
			 AA 47 40 
			 CA 31 26 
			  Source: Activity Based Management system

Social Security Benefits: Arrears

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his Department's latest estimate is of the effect on its expenditure from changing the backdating period for  (a) pension credit,  (b) council tax benefit and  (c) housing benefit; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The proposal to change the allowed length of backdating from 12 months to three months was part of a wider package of pensions measures to increase take-up and make benefit processes simpler. Older people will be able to claim pension credit, housing benefit and council tax benefit in one phone call without having to fill in, sign or return any claim forms. This will benefit thousands of pensioners often put off by complicated claim forms and the fear of large amounts of personal information being required. Over the long-term the package results in extra expenditure for pensioners, rising to £250 million per year by 2050.
	For working age people, the Government's response to the Social Security Advisory Committer's consultation report, published on 15 September, recognised arguments presented by the committee on the potential effect of the changes to Housing benefit and council benefit backdating on vulnerable groups and announced that backdating for housing benefit for working age customers will move initially to 6 months rather than three months. Details of the estimated costs and savings associated with the original proposals in the wider package of measures can be found in the SSAC report.

Social Security Benefits: Cohabitation

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what criteria his Department and its agencies apply when determining whether a person receiving benefit is cohabiting with another person; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: When deciding whether two people are living together as husband or wife or in a civil partnership (LTAHW/CP) a Decision Maker must take into account the whole of the customer's relationship with the other person. There is no single factor which can determine whether or not two people are LTAHW/CP; for example, it is important that a decision is not made solely on the basis of their financial arrangements.
	Among the other factors to be considered will be the existence of a shared household, the stability of the relationship, responsibility for children and the existence of a sexual relationship.

Social Security Benefits: Disabled

Janet Dean: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of adults with autism claiming  (a) jobseeker's allowance and  (b) incapacity benefit.

Tony McNulty: The information is not available.

Social Security Benefits: Disabled

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average clearance time for disability living allowance claims was in  (a) 2006-07 and  (b) 2007-08; and how many claims were cleared in a period longer than the average in each year.

Jonathan R Shaw: Information about the actual average clearance time for disability living allowance (DLA) new claims is in the following table:
	
		
			  DLA new claims actual average clearance times 
			  Days 
			   2006-07  2007-08 
			 Achievement 36.8 36.0 
			 Target 39 38 
			  Source: DLA/AA Legacy computer system 
		
	
	Information about the number of DLA new claims cleared in a period longer than the average for these years is not available.

Social Security Benefits: Foreigners

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what benefits were paid to nationals of  (a) other EU and  (b) non-EU countries and their families in each of the last 12 quarters, broken down by (i) county and (ii) category of benefit.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 16 December 2008
	The information requested is not available.

Social Security Benefits: Fraud

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people reported benefit fraud online in each of the last three years; how many of those reports were made anonymously; how many such reports were followed up with an investigation; and how many successful prosecutions for benefit fraud there were over that period.

Tony McNulty: Information for council tax and housing benefit is not available. The available information for DWP administered benefits is in the following table:
	
		
			   Internet contacts  Internet referrals 
			 2008-09(1) 84,852 81,063 
			 2007-08 80,127 78,230 
			 2006-07 71,01 69,866 
			 (1 )April 2008 to October 2008  Note: The National Benefit Fraud Hotline only started systematically collecting management information on fraud referrals from the 2007-08 operational year. 
		
	
	All reports made to the National Benefit Fraud Hotline via telephone and internet can be made anonymously. No figures are available on the number of occasions when individuals have chosen to identify themselves when reporting their suspicions.
	The information in the following table provides aggregated details of outcomes derived from all hotline referrals, which were then followed up by an investigation and how many were successfully prosecuted in the last three years. The outcome data are not currently split into telephone and internet categories.
	The available information is in the following table:
	
		
			  Benefit Fraud Hotline outcomes, Great Britain 
			   2005-06( 1)  2006-07( 1)  2007-08( 2) 
			 Investigations 62,886 51,458 54,284 
			 Prosecutions 811 679 910 
			 Convictions 723 533 664 
			 
			 Recoverable overpayments (£ million) 21 17 18 
		
	
	The following information is available for overall convictions during the same period:
	
		
			   2005-06( 1)  2006-07( 1)  2007-08( 2) 
			 Overall convictions 8,858 6,878 6,107 
			  Notes: 1. Figures for National Benefit Fraud Hotline outcomes from 2005 to 2007 include only FIBS (Fraud Information by Sector) data. 2. Figures for National Benefit Fraud Hotline outcomes for 2007-08 also include FRAIMS (Fraud Referral and Intervention Management System) figures with the exception of 'Convictions' as this information is not yet available. 3. The figures in all three tables above relate solely to DWP referrals and outcomes and do not include referrals sent to local authorities by NBFH nor their outcomes.

Social Security Benefits: Fraud

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many  (a) males and  (b) females were (i) convicted and (ii) received a custodial sentence in respect of an offence of benefit fraud in (A) each of the last three years and (B) each quarter of each of the last three years; for those people fined, what the average fine was; and how many people were dealt with by way of caution in the same period.

Tony McNulty: Information on housing benefit fraud is not available broken down by either gender or by the number that received a custodial sentence.
	The available information for total convictions, cautions and administrative penalties for housing benefit is in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of convictions, cautions and administrative penalties for housing benefit 
			   Convictions  Cautions  Administrative penalties 
			  2004-05
			 Q1 1,026 1,216 897 
			 Q2 1,238 1,652 1,019 
			 Q3 1,165 1,711 1,184 
			 Q4 1,259 2,070 1,396 
			 Year 4,688 6,649 4,496 
			 
			  2005-06
			 Q1 1,443 1,925 1,264 
			 Q2 1,449 2,327 1,662 
			 Q3 1,542 2,087 1,502 
			 Q4 1,800 3,369 1,771 
			 Year 6,234 9,708 6,199 
			 
			  2006-07
			 Q1 1,409 1,991 1,229 
			 Q2 1,471 2,586 1,645 
			 Q3 1,377 2,569 1,676 
			 Q4 1,477 3,205 1,981 
			 Year 5,734 10,351 6,531 
			  Source: Housing benefit administrative returns supplied by local authorities 
		
	
	For DWP-administered benefits, there is no information available prior to June 2007 on departmental systems which provides a break down by gender of convictions, custodial sentences, and court fines.
	This information is now being captured on an individual case basis by the Fraud Referral and Intervention Management System (FRAIMS) which was rolled-out on a region by region basis between June 2007 and February 2008.
	However, this information cannot currently be extracted from FRAIMS at summary level.
	The available information 2005-07 is as follows.
	
		
			  Numbers of convictions, custodial sentences, cautions and administrative penalties for benefit fraud in Great Britain 
			  2005-06  Convicted  Custodial  Cautions  Adpens 
			 Q1 2,055 113 3,025 2,657 
			 Q2 2,024 88 2,488 3,116 
			 Q3 1,789 87 2,607 2,561 
			 Q4 2,235 102 2,423 2,536 
			 Total 8,103 390 10,543 10,870 
		
	
	
		
			  2006-07  Convicted  Custodial  Cautions  Adpens 
			 Q1 1,972 222 3,282 2,773 
			 Q2 1,790 146 3,221 2,771 
			 Q3 1,408 137 2,970 2,325 
			 Q4 1,708 108 2,503 1,941 
			 Total 6,878 613 11,976 9,810 
			  Source: 2006-07 figures are FIBS (Fraud Information by Sector) only. 
		
	
	For 2007-08 the available data are as follows.
	
		
			  Numbers of convictions, custodial sentences, cautions and administrative penalties for benefit fraud in Great Britain 
			  2007-08  Convicted  Custodial  Cautions  Adpens 
			 Q1 *1,729 *216 3,878 2,928 
			 Q2 *1,831 *145 4,242 2,713 
			 Q3 *1,429 *130 3,167 1,902 
			 Q4 *546 *94 1,688 870 
			 Total *5,535 *585 12,975 8,413 
			  Notes: 1. For 2007-08 figures marked with an asterisk ("*") are not yet available from FRAIMS. Therefore, the information for the four quarters represents FIBS data only. Although this information is recorded on individual cases, it cannot be extracted at a summary level. Work is currently being undertaken to enable this to be done. 2. The same applies to providing data on the number of persons being fined following conviction, although it is not envisaged that average fine values will be able to be generated. The amount of fine imposed is a matter for the courts 3. Information has been included in the above tables showing the number of Administrative Penalties issued. 4. Administrative Penalties are used for less serious cases of fraud; those where the overpayment is below £2,000. Formal cautions are designed to correct claimant behaviour by getting them to admit to the offence. Administrative Penalties, which became available through the Social Security Administration (Fraud) Act 1997, give the claimant the opportunity to avoid prosecution by paying a penalty of 30 per cent. of the overpayment, as well as having to repay the overpayment in full.  Source: 2007-08 figures are a combination of FIBS (Fraud Information by Sector) and FRAIMS (Fraud Referral and Intervention Management System) data.

Social Security Benefits: Interviews

Janet Dean: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which member of staff at Jobcentre Plus offices will carry out a claimant's first work-focused interview.

Tony McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking which member of staff at Jobcentre Plus offices will carry out a claimant's first work-focused interview. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	A Personal Adviser, skilled in dealing with the customer's specific requirements, will carry out a customer's first Work Focused Interview. For example, a lone parent moving from Income Support to Jobseekers Allowance will see a specialist lone parent adviser to take them through the new claims interview. Personal Advisors are well versed in the barriers customers may face when looking for work and they are able to offer appropriate tailored advice.

Unemployed: Voluntary Work

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what assessment his Department has made of the effects on local communities of the long-term unemployed engaging in voluntary work;
	(2)  what assessment his Department has made of the likelihood of long-term unemployed persons who engage in voluntary work returning to paid work thereafter;
	(3)  what estimate his Department has made of the proportion of the long-term unemployed who have been engaged in voluntary work  (a) since February 2008 and  (b) during the last two years.

Tony McNulty: We do not collect information about voluntary work, aside from when it is done as a mandatory part of a new deal programme, so we are not able to supply the figures requested.
	The Government believe that voluntary activity can play an important role in helping unemployed people to keep in touch with the labour market. Voluntary work can also provide benefit recipients with skills and experience that may improve their chances of finding paid employment, and can improve social cohesion. However, there must be a proper balance between allowing benefit recipients to pursue voluntary activity, while at the same time encouraging them to retain a clear focus on moving off welfare into paid employment.
	Recent research has looked at volunteering in the context of mandatory options in the new deals, including "The Longer Term Impact of the New Deal for Young People" (DWP working paper 23, 2008) and changes to benefit rules related to volunteering, "Volunteering and Availability for Work: An evaluation of the change to Jobseeker's Allowance regulations" (DWP working-age research report 190, 2004).
	Copies of these reports are available in the Library.

Unemployment

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he has  (a) taken since July 2008 and  (b) plans to take in the next 12 months to reduce levels of unemployment; what recent representations he has received about the issue; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Government are doing all they can to support people who become unemployed and through Jobcentre Plus and the new deal we are offering more support to help individuals move back into work as quickly as possible. The pre-Budget report made available to DWP an additional £1.3 billion of funding which will ensure that over the next two years, through Jobcentre Plus and our private and voluntary providers, we not only maintain, but increase, the support we offer.
	We have already doubled the resources available to the rapid response teams who offer advice and support to those affected by redundancy. These funds will be doubled again from April 2009. The support provided by these teams can include information about sources of alternative jobs within the labour market or help with applying for existing vacancies; on-site job shops and fairs; helping people draw-up CVs or brush-up their job search skills; and, where appropriate, job-focused training to help individuals develop skills needed within the local labour market or other support to overcome barriers to taking up a specific job offer, such as travel to work expenses.
	The Government are also increasing their engagement with employers. Through Local Employment Partnerships, Jobcentre Plus is already working with employers across the country to help them meet their recruitment needs locally, and to help long-term unemployed customers find work. As announced in the pre-Budget report, LEPs will now be extended to cover the newly redundant and the Prime Minister will chair a National Employment Partnership comprising major private and public sector employers who will work with the Government to agree what more employers can do to help tackle rising unemployment.
	The publication of the White Paper 'Raising expectations and increasing support: reforming welfare for the future' on 10 December 2008, CM 7506, also demonstrates the Government's commitment to further reform to reduce welfare dependency and support more people into work. There are still many new job opportunities coming up all the time. Last month Jobcentre Plus took an average of 10,000 new vacancies every working day, with many more coming up through other recruitment channels. Together with the advice and support provided through Jobcentre Plus, this means that most of those who become unemployed can find another job quickly; over half of new claimants leave jobseeker's allowance within three months and around three quarters leave within six months.

Vacancies

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many employment vacancies there are in  (a) Castle Point constituency,  (b) Essex and  (c) London.

Tony McNulty: The available information is in the table.
	
		
			  Jobcentre Plus vacancies in Castle Point parliamentary constituency, Essex and London as at October 2008 
			   Notified vacancies  Live unfilled vacancies 
			 Castle Point Parliamentary Constituency 263 318 
			 Essex 6,864 6,185 
			 London 37,742 31,784 
			  Notes: 1. Interpretation of these data needs to take account of changes in recent years to Jobcentre Plus procedures for taking and handling vacancies. These figures are not fully comparable over time and may not indicate developments in the labour market. A more detailed explanation is available on the nomis website. 2. Notified vacancies include any speculative placings recorded by Jobcentre Plus. Datasets from May 2006 may reflect substantially reduced levels of speculative placings as part of the notified series. Consequently, care should be taken in interpreting time-series data. 3. In the case of unfilled vacancies, use of the figures on live vacancies is recommended. Live vacancies may still include some vacancies which have already been filled or are otherwise no longer open to recruits, due to natural lags in procedures for following up vacancies with employers. 4. Data are unrounded. 5. Figures cover only those vacancies advertised through Jobcentre Plus, and so will not capture all available vacancies. Comprehensive estimates of all job vacancies (not just those notified to Jobcentre Plus) are available from the monthly ONS Vacancy Survey since April 2001, based on a sample of some 6,000 enterprises. However, the ONS survey is currently designed to provide national estimates only.  Source: Jobcentre Plus Labour Market System.

Vacancies

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his most recent estimate is of the number of job vacancies  (a) in each region and  (b) in Blaenau Gwent.

Tony McNulty: The available information is in the table.
	
		
			  Number of vacancies in each region and nation and in Blaenau Gwent parliamentary constituency: as at October 2008 
			   Notified vacancies  Live unfilled vacancies 
			 Blaenau Gwent 267 226 
			 North East 19,238 16,357 
			 North West 48,673 43,788 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 33,544 28,858 
			 East Midlands 28,973 76,744 
			 West Midlands 38,874 35,047 
			 East 30,028 27,913 
			 London 37,742 31,784 
			 South East 45,385 43,539 
			 South West 31,471 31,236 
			 Wales 19,251 18,690 
			 Scotland 33,511 29,375 
			  Notes:  1. Interpretation of these data should take account of changes in recent years to Jobcentre Plus procedures for taking and handling vacancies. These figures are not fully comparable over time and may not indicate developments in the labour market. A more detailed explanation is available on the nomis website.  2. Notified vacancies include any speculative placings recorded by Jobcentre Plus. Datasets from May 2006 may reflect substantially reduced levels of speculative placings as part of the notified series. Consequently, care should be taken in interpreting time-series data.  3. The stocks of unfilled vacancies reflect more accurately job opportunities available via Jobcentre Plus. In the case of unfilled vacancies, use of the figures on live vacancies is recommended (i.e. excluding suspended vacancies), and this is the default option. Live vacancies may still include some vacancies which have already been filled or are otherwise no longer open to recruits, due to natural lags in procedures for following up vacancies with employers.  4. Comprehensive estimates of all job vacancies (not just those notified to Jobcentre Plus) are available from the monthly ONS Vacancy Survey since April 2001, based on a sample of some 6,000 enterprises. However, the ONS survey is currently designed to provide national estimates only.  Source:  Jobcentre Plus Labour Market System.

Vocational Training: Redundancy

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many on-site advice surgeries Jobcentre Plus's rapid response service has held in each region in each year since Jobcentre Plus was established.

Tony McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how many on-site advice surgeries Jobcentre Plus's rapid response service has held in each region in each year since Jobcentre Plus was established.
	This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Employees of companies who have accepted offers of Rapid Response Service support are provided with advice through a number of channels including on-site advice surgeries. Figures for the number of on-site surgeries held are not collected.

Vocational Training: Redundancy

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  by what means his Department has informed employers of the existence of Jobcentre Plus's rapid response service since it was established;
	(2)  what steps  (a) Jobcentre Plus's rapid response service and  (b) Jobcentre Plus staff take to identify companies with employees who may benefit from the rapid response service.

Tony McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions asking by what means his Department has informed employers of the existence of Jobcentre Plus's rapid response service since it was established and what steps (a) Jobcentre Plus's rapid response service and (b) Jobcentre Plus staff take to identify companies with employees who may benefit from the rapid response service. These fall within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	The rapid response service was introduced in April 2002 and has been delivered through Jobcentre Plus in conjunction with a range of partners such as Regional Development Agencies, local authorities and the Learning and Skills Council in England, and equivalent bodies in Scotland and Wales, to help employees facing redundancies. As you know the Secretary of State announced recently an extension of the service.
	Employers are made aware of the service in three main ways. First, Jobcentre Plus is informed by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform when employers notify redundancies of 20 or more employees. We contact each of those employers to discuss the range of support that Jobcentre Plus is able, with its partners, to offer employees, and to decide which measures will be helpful. Second, we provide information through channels that employers use regularly, including: the Jobcentre Plus website www.iobcentreplus.gov.uk/employers, the websites of organisations who help to deliver the rapid response service to employers and a range of leaflets and business/trade media. Third, some employers receive an account management service from Jobcentre Plus in return for their commitment to helping our individual customers to find work. In that context, employers facing difficulties may discuss their needs directly with Jobcentre Plus and appropriate levels of support will be offered.
	Jobcentre Plus now aims to contact and offer support to every employer which we learn is making 20 people or more redundant. We also make efforts to identify situations where employers are making fewer than 20 people redundant and to offer rapid response service-style support whenever we consider this likely to be the most effective way of helping the people involved.

Winter Fuel Payments

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many winter fuel payment cheques were issued in the last financial year; and how many of these were not cashed.

Rosie Winterton: In winter 2007-08 we made over 12 million winter fuel payments to over 8.5 million households. The vast majority of winter fuel payments are made automatically into bank accounts. Only a small proportion of people receive their winter fuel payment in the form of a cheque.
	In winter 2007-08, 295,769 cheques were issued in respect of winter fuel payments and over 96 per cent. of these were cashed.

Winter Fuel Payments: Glasgow

Ian Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many households in  (a) Glasgow and  (b) Glasgow South West he estimates will be eligible for cold weather payments in 2008-09.

Kitty Ussher: holding answer 10 December 2008
	The estimated number of households eligible for cold weather payments is not available by local authority or parliamentary constituency boundary, but only by weather station.

Winter Fuel Payments: Multiple Occupation

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many complaints his Department has received regarding incorrect winter fuel payments being made to persons living in buildings which contain multiple self-contained flats in the last 12 months.

Rosie Winterton: The requested information is not available.

Winter Fuel Payments: Multiple Occupation

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many people have received an incorrect payment of winter fuel allowance because they were incorrectly assessed as living with another qualifying individual in a single building divided into multiple dwellings in the last 12 months;
	(2)  what steps he has taken to ensure that people living in properties divided into multiple dwellings receive the correct rate of winter fuel payment.

Rosie Winterton: Each year, before winter fuel payments are made, the DWP carries out a complex data matching process involving around 18 million records. The aim is to determine or confirm personal circumstances and calculate the payment amount due.
	The data matching exercise identifies any issues, including those relating to household arrangements. Issues often arise when customers provide incomplete addresses, for example they may omit a flat number. If DWP identify large numbers of people residing at the same address action is taken to try to identify if it is a multiple dwelling address.
	If a customer contacts the Department because they feel their winter fuel payment is for the wrong amount, the position is checked and the payment corrected if necessary. Out of 12 million payments in 2007-08 less than a quarter of 1 per cent. of individuals received a top up due to incorrect payments.

Waste Management: Local Authorities

Michael Clapham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will require the Health and Safety Executive to provide guidance to local authorities on the most suitable type of waste management treatment facility taking account of the geography and topology of the area and the nearness to residents of the facility.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 18 December 2008
	While general guidance has been provided by both bodies, it is not within the remit either of the Health and Safety Executive or the Environment Agency to provide guidance to individual local authorities on what is the suitable type of waste management treatment facility for their area.
	Specific guidance for local authorities through Planning Policy Statement 10 (PPS10) is also to be taken into account by waste planning authorities and forms part of the national waste management plan for the UK.

PRIME MINISTER

Banks

Grant Shapps: To ask the Prime Minister on what dates he held meetings with  (a) HBOS,  (b) Nationwide,  (c) Abbey,  (d) Lloyds TSB,  (e) Northern Rock,  (f) Barclays,  (g) RBS and  (h) HSBC prior to the announcement of the Government's repossessions policy on 3 December 2008; and what matters were discussed.

Gordon Brown: My officials and I have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals on a range of subjects.

Departmental Correspondence

Grant Shapps: To ask the Prime Minister how many  (a) letters and  (b) e-mails received by his Office had not been responded to as at 15 December 2008.

Gordon Brown: Since January 2008, my Office has received approximately 500,000 pieces of correspondence. My Office aims to deal with correspondence within the 15 working day time frame.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Prime Minister what expert advisers have been commissioned by his Office since 1997; on what topic each was commissioned; and whether the adviser so appointed made a declaration of political activity in each case.

Gordon Brown: Since 2003, the Government have published on an annual basis the names and overall cost of special advisers and the number in each pay band. Updated information will be published in the usual way.

Imperial College London

Greg Hands: To ask the Prime Minister with reference to the answer of 3 November 2008,  Official Report, column 27W, on Imperial College London, whether the audience at the question and answer session he held on 27 October 2008 was selected solely at the discretion of Imperial College.

Gordon Brown: I have nothing further to add to the answer I gave the hon. Member on 3 November 2008,  Official Report, column 27W.

Iran: Nuclear Power

Dai Davies: To ask the Prime Minister whether he discussed the Iranian state shareholding in the French state Uranium Enrichment Company during the visit of President Sarkozy on 8 December 2008.

Gordon Brown: I discussed a wide range of issues with President Sarkozy. I refer the hon. Member to the press conference I held with President Sarkozy and President Barroso on 8 December. A transcript is available on the No. 10 website at:
	http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page17733
	A copy has also been placed in the Library of the House.

Israel: Nuclear Weapons

Dai Davies: To ask the Prime Minister what matters concerning  (a) Israel's nuclear weapons arsenal and  (b) Iran's nuclear programme, he discussed in his meeting with his Israeli counterpart on 16 December 2008.

Gordon Brown: I discussed a wide range of issues with Prime Minister Olmert.

Right of Search

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Prime Minister whether he or any Minister, civil servant or adviser sought to influence the content of Mr. Speaker's statement of 3 December 2008,  Official Report, columns 1-3.

Gordon Brown: The statement was entirely a matter for Mr. Speaker.

INNOVATION, UNIVERSITIES AND SKILLS

Departmental Data Protection

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many civil servants in his Department have been  (a) investigated,  (b) suspended and  (c) dismissed for (i) losing and (ii) deliberately disclosing (A) data stored on departmental equipment and (B) confidential information in each year since its inception.

Si�n Simon: Between the creation of the Department in June 2007 and November 2008, no civil servants have been investigated, suspended or dismissed for losing or deliberately disclosing information. There have been no cases of data loss or disclosure of sensitive information requiring investigation.
	The Department takes any breach of security very seriously and, in some cases, may take disciplinary action against those who commit such breaches. Policies and guidance on IT security are available to all staff on the departmental intranet. Logging into the Department's IT system requires that staff must agree to abide by these policies.

Departmental Energy

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what steps his Department is taking to reduce the amount of energy it wastes.

Si�n Simon: The Government's Delivery Plan for Sustainable Procurement and Operations on the Government Estate, published in August 2008, provides a full account of the initiatives Departments are taking to reduce their energy waste. The Government have committed to updating the Delivery Plan on a six monthly basis, and the first of these updates was published on 18 December 2008.

Departmental Equality

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what information his Department holds on the  (a) sex,  (b) ethnicity,  (c) age,  (d) disability,  (e) sexual orientation and  (f) religion or belief of its staff; and what assessment he has made of his Department's performance against its targets relating to diversity in its workforce.

Si�n Simon: In the Department, the employee breakdown is as follows:
	(a) 457 male (52.3 per cent. of all staff);
	(b) 417 female (47.7 per cent. of all staff);
	(c) 45 staff declared from black and minority ethnic (BME) backgrounds (5.1 per cent. of all staff), 376 not known (43.0 per cent.), 13 prefer not to say (1.5 per cent.);
	(d) 39 declared a disability (4.5 per cent.), 515 not known (58.9 per cent.), 19 prefer not to say (2.2 per cent.);
	(e) 13 declared not heterosexual (1.5 per cent.), 238 sexual orientation not known (27.2 per cent.), 29 prefer not to say (3.3 per cent.);
	(f) Three staff declared Buddhist (0.6 per cent.), 192 Christian (22.0 per cent.), three Hindu (0.3 per cent.), one Jewish (0.1 per cent.), five Muslim (0.6 per cent.), five other religion (0.6 per cent.), 119 no religion (13.6 per cent.), 511 not known (58.5 per cent.), 35 prefer not to say (4.0 per cent.).
	Departmental records on the numbers of BME staff are based on voluntary self-declaration on the basis of the categories used in the 2001 census. Records on the numbers of disabled staff are also solely based on voluntary, self-declaration of being a disabled person as defined by the Disability Discrimination Act, and not connected in any way to a formal register of disability. Similarly, records on religion or beliefs are solely based on voluntary, self-declaration.
	The Department has a Diversity Action Plan and is currently developing its diversity targets.

Departmental Gifts

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many members of staff in his Department have received gifts valued at 100 or higher in the course of their duties since his Department's creation; what these gifts were; and from whom they were received.

Si�n Simon: The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) was created as a result of Machinery of Government changes in June 2007.
	The Department keeps a record of all gifts received.
	No member of staff has received a gift valued at 100 or more.
	The rules and guidance on receipt of gifts by civil servants are set out in the Civil Service Management Code, and in departmental staff handbooks.

English Language: Education

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many staff in his Department are employed in  (a) administering the English for Speakers of Other Languages programme and  (b) developing content for citizenship courses; and what estimate he has made of the cost of employing such staff in (a) 2008-09 and (b) each of the next two financial years.

Si�n Simon: The team responsible for English for Speakers of Other Languages policy has evolved during 2008 so I am unable to provide a precise costing. This figure is an estimation based on the current cadre of five full-time equivalent staff at a cost of 290,000 for 2008-09. This does not include any Learning and Skills Council resource. Future costs are not provided as these would be predicated on future pay remits agreed with HM Treasury and the cadre may change according to policy priorities.
	The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills does not employ staff to develop content for citizenship courses. Citizenship materials are developed to meet Home Office criteria and content for these courses are developed by the Learning and Skills Improvement Service.

English Language: Education

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills with reference to the answer of 24 June 2008,  Official Report, column 248W, on English language: education, when he expects to publish the independent impact assessment report on the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) measures introduced in August 2007; and what the expected cost of provision of ESOL is expected to be in  (a) 2008-09 and  (b) the two following years.

Si�n Simon: The Department commissioned an independent review of the changes made to ESOL fees in 2007 to inform any future policy decisions. This work is not yet concluded because the initial work necessitated further in-depth research to produce a more complete picture. No decision has yet been taken on publication.
	The cost of provision of ESOL is expected to be in the region of 300 million in 2008-09 and this will be maintained at a similar level for the following two years.

Foreign Students

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many  (a) Swedish and  (b) Danish nationals are engaged in full-time study in English universities.

David Lammy: In the 2006/07 academic year, the most recent year for which figures are available, there were 2,400 Swedish domiciled enrolments and 925 Danish domiciled enrolments on full-time courses at English higher education institutions.
	The figures come from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) student record and cover enrolments to all levels study.

Higher Education: Charities

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills 
	(1)  how much has been spent on the charitable research projects at higher education institutions which receive funding from the Charity Research Support Fund in each year since its creation;
	(2)  what the planned expenditure for the Charity Research Support Fund is for 2009-10.

David Lammy: The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) provides a Quality Related (QR) block grant for research to higher education institutions. The QR grant is determined by adding together a number of elementsthe charity support element is calculated by reference to institutions' levels of charitable research income. The funding that arises from this calculation is distributed to institutions within their overall QR block grant rather than as a separate fund. It is for institutions that receive QR to determine how to use that funding in line with their own priorities.
	The amount to be allocated to the charity support element for 2009-10 and any subsequent year will be determined by HEFCE in due course, having regard to the resources available for distribution at the time.

Higher Education: Charities

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how much funding has been provided by UK charities for  (a) medical research and  (b) cancer research in higher education institutions in each of the last five academic years; and what information his Department has on equivalent figures in other European countries for benchmarking purposes.

David Lammy: Statistics on higher education institutions' income are collected by the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
	Research income received by higher education institutions in England from UK-based charities for the last five academic years for which data are available is shown in the following table.
	
		
			   Income ( million) 
			 2002/03 542 
			 2003/04 577 
			 2004/05 586 
			 2005/06 610 
			 2006/07 645 
		
	
	Information is not collected on the type of research that this income was used for.
	The Department does not collect equivalent figures from other European countries.

Higher Education: Finance

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills when the Higher Education Funding Council for England plans to publish its report on means to increase the capacity for teaching Islamic studies.

David Lammy: The Higher Education Funding Council for England has produced the following reports on their work to develop Islamic studies in the UKall these reports can be found on its website at:
	www.hefce.ac.uk/aboutus/sis/islamic/
	1. Circular letter 03/2008 provides information about the conference held in April 2008 on Islamic Studies.
	2. Islamic Studies: current status and future prospects: November 2007
	3. Islamic Studies: the way forward in the UK, April 2008
	4. Desk based report: International approaches to Islamic Studies in Higher Education
	5. Islamic Studies: Trends and profiles report September 2008
	6. Sector Impact Assessment of Islamic Studies
	7. Board Paper B93 September 2008 sets out HEFCE's proposals for taking forward the development of Islamic Studies in the UK.
	No further reports are due at this time.

Higher Education: Job Evaluation

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what appeals process is available for academic staff who dispute their gradings under the higher educational role analysis evaluation process; and if he will make a statement.

David Lammy: As universities are autonomous, independent bodies they are responsible for determining their own academic and administrative affairs, including terms and conditions for their staff and staff grading structures. The Government play no part in determining grading structures for higher education staff. As such any appeals process for staff under this or any other job evaluation process would be a matter for the universities to determine in consultation with their recognised trade unions.

Higher Education: Leeds

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many new higher education students in  (a) Leeds West and  (b) Leeds metropolitan district will receive a maintenance grant in 2008-09.

David Lammy: Reliable information is not available at constituency level.
	In academic year 2007/08, there were 2,520 new university entrants from the Leeds metropolitan district who received a maintenance grant or special support grant.
	Information for the 2008/09 academic year is not yet complete. Students can apply for support up to nine months after the start of their course, and in exceptional circumstances, this limit can be extended. Applications generally take six to eight weeks to process.
	The Statistical First Release published on 28 November shows the provisional number of new students successfully applying for support in England in academic year 2008/09 under the 2008/09 entry regulations reached 278,100 by mid-November 2008. The provisional distribution shows that 40 per cent. of these students received the full maintenance grant of 2,835 and 29 per cent. received a partial maintenance grant. 31 per cent. received no maintenance grant. No specific information is available yet for the Leeds metropolitan district.

Learning and Skills Council

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what buildings are occupied by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC); what the cost of occupying these buildings is in 2008-09; when each of the lease agreements for occupying these buildings expires; and to what use those buildings will be put following the abolition of the Learning and Skills Council in 2010.

Si�n Simon: A list of buildings occupied by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and the year of expiry of lease agreements are provided in the following table. The total cost of the LSC's property portfolio for 2008-09 is 26.1 million. DIUS and DCSF are undertaking an assessment of the detailed options, costs and benefits for the estate to support effective delivery by the Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA) and Skills Funding Agency (SFA).
	We have already announced that the YPLA and SFA headquarters will be co-located in Coventry.
	
		
			  Learning and Skills Council buildings 
			  LSC office  Building/city  Break or lease expiry  Year of lease expiry 
			  2009
			 Surrey Technology House, Woking Lease Expiry  
			 Bedfordshire Woburn Court, Kempston, Break Due 2011 
			 Nottinghamshire City Gate East, Nottingham Licence (1) 
			 
			  2010
			 Greater Manchester Arndale House, Manchester Break Due 2015 
			 London Central Centre Point, London Lease Expiry  
			 Staffordshire Festival Way, Stoke-on-Trent Lease Expiry  
			 Sussex Princes House, Brighton Break Due 2015 
			 
			  2011
			 Kent and Medway Kings Hill Avenue, West Mailing Lease Expiry  
			 Lincolnshire and Rutland Alpha Court, Lincoln Lease Expiry  
			 Leicestershire 17a Meridian East, Leicester Lease Expiry  
			 London East Boardman House, London Lease Expiry  
			 Cambridgeshire Stuart House, Peterborough Lease Expiry  
			 Hereford and Worcester 5 Brook Court, Worcester, Break Due 2016 
			 Humberside 4 Earls Court, Hull Break Due 2016 
			 
			  2012
			 Shropshire Hollinswood House, Telford Break Due 2017 
			 Lancashire Citigate, Preston Break Due 2017 
			 Greater Merseyside The Plaza, Liverpool Break Due 2017 
			 Somerset Kingston House, Taunton, Break Due 2016 
			 National Office Security House, Coventry, Break Due 2017 
			 Tees Valley/County Durham Wynyard House, Billingham Break Due 2017 
			 Black Country Unit 6 and 7 Castle Court, Dudley Break Due 2017 
			 Derbyshire 1 Mallard Way, Derby Lease Expiry  
			 South Yorkshire The Straddle, Sheffield Break Due 2017 
			 Norfolk Lakeside 500, Norwich Lease Expiry 2017 
			 Cheshire and Warrington Dalton House, Middlewich Lease Expiry  
			 Coventry and Warwickshire Oak Tree Court, Coventry Lease Expiry  
			 
			  2013
			 West Yorkshire Mercury House, Bradford Break Due 2019 
			 
			  2014
			 Wiltshire and Swindon The Bora Building, Swindon Lease Expiry  
			 Suffolk Felaw Maltings, Ipswich, Lease Expiry  
			 Berkshire Pacific House, Reading, Lease Expiry  
			 Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole Provincial House, Bournemouth Lease Expiry  
			 West of England St. Lawrence House, Bristol Lease Expiry  
			 
			  2015
			 Tyne and Wear Moongate House, Gateshead Lease Expiry  
			 London West Central House, Hounslow Lease Expiry  
			 North Yorkshire 7 Pioneer Business Park, York Lease Expiry  
			 Devon and Cornwall Foliot House, Plymouth Lease Expiry  
			 County Durham Allergate House, Durham Break Due 2019 
			 Cumbria Progress/Venture House, Workington Lease Expiry 2020 
			 
			  2016
			 Devon and Cornwall Penhaligon House, Truro Lease Expiry  
			 Essex Redwing House, Chelmsford Lease Expiry  
			 London South Canius House, Croydon Lease Expiry  
			 London North Dumayne House, London Lease Expiry  
			 
			  2017
			 Gloucestershire Conway House, Gloucester Lease Expiry  
			 Devon and Cornwall Richmond Court, Exeter Lease Expiry  
			 
			  2018
			 Northamptonshire Royal Pavilion, Northampton Lease Expiry  
			 Hertfordshire Grosvenor Road, St. Albans Lease Expiry  
			 
			  2020
			 Hampshire and IOW Eagle Point, Fareham Lease Expiry  
			 Milton Keynes Latimer House, Kidlington Lease Expiry  
			 
			  2021
			 Birmingham and Solihull NTI Building, Birmingham Lease Expiry  
			 
			  2022
			 National Office Cheylesmore House North and South, Coventry Lease Expiry  
			 (1) Can vacate at any time.  Note: Table arranged by date of break in lease or lease expiry date (whichever is sooner).

Learning and Skills Council

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many staff employed by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) he expects will become employed by  (a) local authorities,  (b) the Young People's Learning Agency,  (c) the Skills Funding Agency and  (d) the National Apprenticeship Service in 2010; and whether all current LSC staff will be offered alternative employment

Si�n Simon: We have identified that there will be some 3,300 full-time equivalents in 2010, which is in line with existing LSC staffing levels.
	We expect to transfer around 1,000 posts to local authorities. This will be supported by the Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA), a non-departmental public body which will have approximately 500 posts in total, with around 200 at the national office and 300 in the regions. The YPLA will support local authorities in their new role in the commissioning process and delivery of good outcomes for young people.
	The Skills Funding Agency (SFA) will be an agency of DIUS and will have approximately 1,800 posts, including the 400 posts in the National Apprenticeship Service.
	We are committed to retaining the expertise of LSC staff in the new arrangements. DCSF and DIUS officials are working with the LSC and wider further education sector to finalise the details of these plans and processes over the coming months.

Learning and Skills Council

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills whether staff currently employed by the Learning and Skills Council will continue to be covered by the Civil Service Pension Scheme if they become employed by  (a) local authorities,  (b) the Young People's Learning Agency,  (c) the Skills Funding Agency and  (d) the National Apprenticeships Service in 2010.

Si�n Simon: DIUS and DCSF are being guided by the Cabinet Office Staff Transfers in the Public Sector Statement of Practice (COSOP) in our approach to the treatment of LSC staff in this transfer of responsibilities under the Machinery of Government changes. This includes the principle that there should be appropriate arrangements to protect occupational pensions and the application of A fair deal for Staff Pensions (which sets out the policy on staff pensions that must be followed by Central Government Departments and Agencies, and which Ministers expect to be adopted by other public sector employers).
	We expect that staff transferring to the Young People's Learning Agency and Skills Funding Agency, which will house the National Apprenticeships Service, will continue to be covered by the Civil Service Pension Scheme and staff transferring to local authorities will have access to local government schemes. We are working with the Government Actuaries Department and representatives of the various pension's schemes to establish the details for every member of staff affected by this transfer.

Learning and Skills Council: Telephone Services

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what guidelines are in place for telephone calls by employees of the Learning and Skills Council to telephone numbers at the Palace of Westminster.

Si�n Simon: This is an operational matter for the LSC, and I have therefore asked Mark Haysom, the LSC's chief executive, to write to the hon. Member with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.

Mental Illness

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what assessment he has made of the recommendations relevant to his Department's policy responsibilities made in the Foresight report on Mental Capital and Well Being, with particular regard to life-long learning policy objectives; and if he will make a statement.

Si�n Simon: The Secretary of State was pleased to receive the Foresight report on Mental Capital and Wellbeing on behalf of Government and to oversee progress by Departments in their consideration and uptake of its findings over the coming year.
	Part of that process will involve an assessment of what the report might mean for DIUS policy on life long learning and the Department will report on this in due course.

Research

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills 
	(1)  what assessment his Department has made of the economic impact of research in universities which have received less than 2 million of quality-related research funding in each year since 2002;
	(2)  what assessment his Department has made of the impact of research in universities with a strong profile in excellent research of national significance, as determined by the 2002 research assessment exercise, upon innovation and applied research in respect of  (a) international companies,  (b) the regional economies,  (c) higher education exports,  (d) the NHS and  (e) other public and not-for-profit sectors.

David Lammy: DIUS carries out a wide range of work to measure the impact of research carried out in universities. Each year, the Department publishes a report summarising this work. The latest report, 'Economic Impacts of Investment in Research and Innovation' is available via the DIUS website at
	http://www.dius.gov.uk/publications/documents/Science/Science/2008Economic_impact_report.pdf.
	This report includes sections on the economy, innovation, health care, and the higher education, public and business sectors. It covers research carried out in all universities, regardless of their previous results in the research assessment exercise or the amount of quality-related research funding that they have received.

Research

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what his Department's strategy is for ensuring that students in universities which are leaders in widening participation have equal access to a well-resourced research infrastructure in their university.

David Lammy: The Government's policy are that students should have access to the higher education courses that best suit their needs, and universities should leverage their research activities to enrich undergraduate programmes as appropriate. This will not happen in the same way in all universities, and we do not believe it should. The Government's debate on the future of higher education offers an opportunity to discuss how teaching should develop over the next 10 to 15 years.

Research: Standards

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills 
	(1)  how many institutions assessed in the 2008 research assessment exercise had at least five per cent. of the research activity in one of their submissions rated as  (a) four stars,  (b) three stars,  (c) two stars and  (d) one star; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will make it his policy that the Higher Education Funding Council has as objectives for the distribution of quality-related research funding to universities to ensure that  (a) world leading, internationally excellent and internationally recognised research is funded wherever it has been found and  (b) universities with profiles in research which have received national recognition receive funding.

David Lammy: Of the 159 higher education institutions in the UK that submitted to the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise:
	150 had at least 5 per cent. of their submitted research activity judged to be at the 4* quality level in at least one submission;
	159 had at least 5 per cent. of their submitted research activity judged to be at the 3* quality level in at least one submission;
	159 had at least 5 per cent. of their submitted research activity judged to be at the 2* quality level in at least one submission;
	157 had at least 5 per cent. of their submitted research activity judged to be at the 1* quality level in at least one submission.
	Results for the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise were presented as a quality profile indicating the proportion of research activity in each submission that was judged to reach each quality level.
	These figures show that virtually every higher education institution in the United Kingdom that made a submission in the exercise has some research activity assessed to be of world leading quality; and all submitting institutions have some research activity that was assessed as internationally excellent. This is a very strong positive verdict on the strength and diversity of the national research base.
	Decisions on allocation of funding arising from the RAE results have not yet been made.

Sight Impaired

Tom Levitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what guidelines his Department follows in respect of making printed materials and forms accessible to people suffering red/green colour blindness.

Si�n Simon: The Department follows the guidelines of COI.
	COI Informability recommends that the use of red and green together as text/background should be avoided. They also recommend that using yellow and blue together should be avoided.

Students: Loans

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what the monetary value of the last three valuations of the student loans book were.

David Lammy: The student loan book valuation for 31 March 2008 and 31 March 2007 is disclosed in the resource accounts of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills. Prior to this, the student loan book valuation was disclosed in the resource accounts of the Department for Education and Skills.
	More details on the valuation methodology for the student loan book can be found in note 21 of the resource accounts of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.

Young People: Unemployed

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what proportion of young people in each of the principal seaside towns were not in employment, education or training at the latest date for which information is available.

Si�n Simon: Details of young people not in employment, education or training are not available for small geographical regions such as principal seaside towns. The smallest geographical area for which these numbers are available is by local education authority, and this data can be found in the reply given to the hon. Member for Havant (Mr. Willetts) on 26 November 2008,  Official Report, column 1721W.

SCOTLAND

BBC Scotland

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent meetings he has had with BBC Scotland; what topics were discussed; and with what outcomes.

Jim Murphy: Aside from interviews, since I took up appointment on 3 October 2008 I have had no meetings with BBC Scotland.

Departmental Assets

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assets of his Department are planned to be sold in each financial year from 2007-08 to 2010-11; what the  (a) description and  (b) book value of each such asset is; what the expected revenue from each such sale is; and if he will make a statement.

Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office have little by way of disposable assets, and we have no plans to dispose of any between 2007-08 and 2010-11.

Departmental Buildings

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much has been spent by his Department on renovation and refurbishment of its properties in each of the last five years.

Ann McKechin: Under the terms of its building leases the Office is required to maintain the buildings to an acceptable standard of decoration and repair. The Scotland Office does not separately identify the costs of renovation and refurbishment from the routine repair and replacement of existing facilities. Over the period of the last five years, the Office has shared its accommodation with a number of other Government Departments. The following figures show the gross total for repairs and maintenance of Scotland Office buildings, but does not include the contribution by the Departments towards their share of the costs.
	
		
			   Cost () 
			 2003-04 179,853 
			 2004-05 374,129 
			 2005-06 331,803 
			 2006-07 355,071 
			 2007-08 (1)1,011,254 
			 (1) In 2007-08 this included roof and exterior repairs to Dover House in London.

Departmental Correspondence

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many  (a) letters and  (b) e-mails received by his Department had not been responded to as at 15 December 2008.

Ann McKechin: The information requested is as follows:
	 (a) The Cabinet Office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on the performance of departments in replying to Members-Peers-correspondence. Information relating to 2008 will be published as soon as it has been collated. The report for 2007 was published on 20 March 2008,  Official Report, columns 71-74WS. Reports for earlier years are available in the Library of the House.
	 (b) In respect of emails, this information is not centrally held and is not possible to collect within the disproportionate cost limit.

Departmental Data Protection

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of contractors and suppliers to his Department have reported that they are compliant with the Government's security standards following publication of the report, Data Handling Procedures in Government, and the accompanying document, Cross-departmental Actions: Mandatory Minimum Action, on 25 June 2008.

Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office does not directly use external suppliers or contractors to carry out its responsibilities. As an associated office, the Scotland Office is provided with a range of corporate and support services by the Ministry of Justice, who place an obligation on all of their contractors to provide IT and data management systems that meet Government security standards.

Departmental Data Protection

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many contracts his Department has which allow contractors to store personal data of UK citizens overseas; for which contracts this applies; in which countries the data for each contract is held; and how many people have their data stored overseas in the case of each such contract.

Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office has no such contracts in place.

Departmental Data Protection

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when his Department appointed a senior information risk owner in accordance with the report, Data Handling Procedures in Government and the accompanying document Cross-departmental Actions: Mandatory Minimum Action; when the appointment was made; and what grade the person holds within the Department.

Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office is part of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). The Ministry of Justice's Senior Information Risk Owner (SIRO) is the Director General of the Democracy, Constitution and Law Group who took over this responsibility in spring 2008, in advance of the Data Handling Review's publication.

Departmental Electronic Equipment

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland with reference to the answer of 24 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 807-08W, on departmental electronic equipment, how many flat screen televisions were purchased in 2007-08.

Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office purchased four flat screen televisions in 2007-08.

Departmental Equality

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information his Department holds on the  (a) sex,  (b) ethnicity,  (c) age,  (d) disability,  (e) sexual orientation and  (f) religion or belief of its staff; and what assessment he has made of his Department's performance against its targets relating to diversity in its workforce.

Ann McKechin: All staff in the Scotland Office are on secondment from the Scottish Executive or the Ministry of Justice. Information relating to the diversity of staff are held by the parent Departments.

Departmental Furniture

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was spent by his Department on furniture made by  (a) British firms,  (b) Remploy and  (c) overseas firms in each year since 2000.

Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office has generally, but not exclusively, obtained office furniture through central procurement contracts set-up by the Scottish Executive. The Office does not separately identify the source of supply.

Departmental Gifts

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many members of staff in his Department have received gifts valued at 100 or higher in the course of their duties in each of the last three years; what these gifts were; and from whom they were received.

Ann McKechin: No members of staff in the Scotland Office have received gifts valued at 100 or higher in the course of their duties in any of the last three years.

Departmental ICT

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what IT projects his Department is undertaking; and what the most recent estimate of  (a) the cost and  (b) the completion date of each is.

Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office shares an information technology system (SCOTS) with the Scottish Executive, which is responsible for the development, administration and maintenance of the system; consequently, the Office does not directly undertake IT projects.

Departmental ICT

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of the IT systems in his Department is fully accredited to the Government's security standards.

Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office shares an information technology system (SCOTS) with the Scottish Executive, which is responsible for the development, administration (including data compliance and security) and maintenance of the system.

Departmental Information Officers

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many press and communications officers are employed by his Department.

Ann McKechin: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 3 November 2008,  Official Report, column 9W, to the hon. Member for South-West Surrey (Mr. Hunt).

Departmental Internet

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland for which websites his Department provides funding.

Ann McKechin: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 24 November 2008,  Official Report, column 808W, to the right hon. Member for Maidenhead (Mrs. May).

Departmental Internet

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which internet providers his Department uses.

Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office shares an information technology system (SCOTS) with the Scottish Executive, which is responsible for the development, administration and maintenance of the system.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many full-time equivalent staff in his Department work to assist special advisers; and what the cost of employing such staff was in each of the last three years.

Ann McKechin: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 24 November 2008,  Official Report, column 809W, to the hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr. Hammond).

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what expert advisers have been commissioned by his Department since its inception; on what topic each was commissioned; and whether the adviser so appointed made a declaration of political activity in each case.

Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office was established on 1 July 1999.
	My Office publishes information relating to the use of external consultants on  Hansard and since 2003, the names and overall costs of special advisers by pay band are published on an annual basis.
	Further to this, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Murphy) has responsibility for appointing members of the Boundary Commission for Scotland.

Departmental Official Hospitality

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much has been spent on  (a) departmental Christmas parties and  (b) staff entertainment in the last three years.

Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office has not spent anything on departmental Christmas parties or staff entertainment in the last three years.

Departmental Older Workers

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many and what percentage of new recruits to his Department were aged over  (a) 55 and  (b) 60 years old in 2007-08.

Ann McKechin: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 3 November 2008,  Official Report, column 9W, to the hon. Member for Upper Bann (David Simpson).

Departmental Pensions

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many civil servants working in his Department have pensions with a cash equivalent transfer value of over 1 million.

Ann McKechin: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 22 October 2008,  Official Report, column 392W, to the hon. Member for Cardiff, Central (Jenny Willott).

Departmental Procurement

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland with reference to the answer of 5 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 462-3W, on departmental procurement, for what reason and for what premises the kettles and television sets were purchased.

Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office purchased two kettles at a total cost of 35.90 for our tea preparation areas in Melville Crescent in Edinburgh and four television sets for our ministerial offices in Dover House in London at a total cost of 2,076.00.

Departmental Sick Leave

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the number of hours of work lost through sickness absence on the part of staff working in his Department in the last 12 months.

Ann McKechin: All staff are on secondment from the Scottish Executive or the Ministry of Justice; who as parent Departments have absence management policies that apply to those of their staff working in this office. We do not maintain a separate central record of sick absences. Such records are held by the parent Departments who publish their sick absence statistics.

Departmental Telephone Services

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many telephone numbers for which callers are charged at the rate applicable to 0845 numbers are used by his Department for public access to services.

Ann McKechin: The Office does not use telephone numbers for which callers are charged at the rate applicable to 0845 numbers.

Departmental Written Questions

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many and what proportion of written questions for answer on a named day his Department has answered on the due date in the current Session of Parliament.

Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office has received two written questions for answer on a named day in the current Session of Parliament. 100 per cent. were answered on the due date.

Offenders

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many former prisoners are employed by his Department; and what his Department's policy is on employing former prisoners.

Ann McKechin: All staff in the Scotland Office are on secondment from the Scottish Executive or the Ministry of Justice; who remain their employers. It is for these Departments to determine their policy on employing former prisoners.

Plain English

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department has spent on Plain English Campaign training courses for its staff in each of the last five years.

Ann McKechin: No expenditure has been incurred on Plain English Campaign training courses.

Wines

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department spent on wine in each of the last 24 months.

Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office records its hospitality expenditure in accordance with the principles of Managing Public Money. It keeps no separate record of expenditure on wine.

DEFENCE

Warship Construction Programme

Julie Kirkbride: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what timetable he has set for the warship construction programme; and if he will make a statement.

Quentin Davies: We are currently engaged in the most substantial peacetime naval shipbuilding programme since the first world war. This is centred on the Type 45 destroyers, the Astute class submarines and the future aircraft Carriers. Following on from these we will have the future surface combatant and successor class submarine. This programme will provide the capability the Royal Navy needs to remain one of the world's most powerful maritime forces. As the House knows we have announced that the in-service dates of the carriers will be delayed by one to two years allowing closer alignment for the entry into service of the aircraft which will fly from them. HMS Daring, the first of class of the T45 destroyers, is expected to enter service next year with its five successors at a rate of approximately one a year thereafter. The House will also know that there has been some delay to the Astute programme. We are re-baselining the programme and I will make an announcement in due course. The future surface combatant will follow-on from the carriers, but it is far too early to announce an in-service date. The future surface combatant and the successor class submarines are at the very early stages of design.

Eurofighter

Michael Jack: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the size of the Eurofighter tranche 3 contract is expected to be; and if he will make a statement.

Quentin Davies: Negotiations with partner nations and industry are continuing on the Typhoon Tranche 3 contract and decisions will be taken once these negotiations are complete.

NATO/EU Military Commitments

Brian Binley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the compatibility of the UK's NATO and EU military commitments.

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the compatibility of the UK's EU and NATO military commitments.

John Hutton: The UK works to ensure NATO and EU military commitments complement each other. One recent example has been the smooth transition of counter-piracy and escort duties off the coast of Somalia from the NATO Standing Maritime Group 2 to the EU maritime taskforce.

Equipment Programme

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the likely effect of the review of his Department's equipment programme on the capabilities of the armed forces.

Quentin Davies: The effect has been very positive. We are pressing ahead with Future Lynx and giving a new priority to the Warrior upgrade and the FRES reconnaissance vehicle. These are all very important programmes for current operations and the nation's future defence capability. We have been able to do this by re-profiling the carrier build programme without any loss to defence capability. Although the in-service dates of the new carrier have been delayed, of which the House is aware, this has allowed us to more closely align their entry into service with the aircraft which will fly off them.

Jackal Deployment: Iraq

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Jackals have been deployed in Iraq since 2003; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: Jackal was bought for Afghanistan in response to the requirements of that theatre. It provides excellent mobility and firepower and is well adapted for manoeuvring in the Afghan desert. Heavy firepower in Iraq has been effectively delivered by Warrior and Challenger, both of which are well adapted to the Iraqi terrain. No Jackals have therefore been deployed on operations in Iraq.

Afghanistan

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the security situation in Afghanistan.

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the security situation in Afghanistan.

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the security situation in Afghanistan.

John Hutton: Considerable progress has been made but the insurgency remains resilient. The majority of people can go about their daily lives but, in certain areas of the country, particularly in the south and east, significant security challenges remain. The Taliban have failed using conventional tactics and are turning to increasingly indiscriminate attacks, which show complete disregard for the safety of the local population.

Iran

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of potential military threats posed by Iran.

Lee Scott: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of potential military threats posed by Iran.

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of potential military threats posed by Iran.

John Hutton: I refer the hon. Members to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Clwyd, West (Mr. Jones).

Armed Forces Day

Linda Gilroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent progress has been made on preparations for Armed Forces Day; and if he will make a statement.

Kevan Jones: As my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Armed Forces announced in our response to the National Recognition Study, the first Armed Forces Day will be held on 27 June this year, building on the success of Veterans Day events held in previous years. The day will provide an opportunity for the public to show their appreciation for the contribution made to society by those who serve and have served the nation in the armed forces. We are working with a wide range of organisations to deliver events that will mark the day and planning is progressing well.

Post-Combat Stress Disorder: North Yorkshire

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent representations he has received on access to treatment by those with post-combat stress disorder who live in North Yorkshire.

Kevan Jones: During the past 12 months both my predecessor and I have responded to parliamentary and ministerial correspondence relating to access to treatment for specific individuals in the North Yorkshire area who are suffering from PTSD.
	We are working with the four UK Health Departments in piloting a new mental health service for veterans in five NHS trusts across the UK to address treatment of veterans' mental health problems. I spoke at a conference in Hull which has pioneered support for veterans.
	We are also working with the King's Centre for Military Health to monitor the mental health of a cohort of serving personnel to better understand the true prevalence of psychiatric disorders and the treatment required.

Snatch Land Rover

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department is taking to procure an alternative to the Snatch Land Rover.

Quentin Davies: We are already replacing Snatch Land Rover with Snatch Vixen. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence said in his written ministerial statement of 16 December 2008,  Official Report, columns 103-04WS, we do not believe that there is a better vehicle than Snatch Vixen currently available anywhere in the world to fulfil the Light Protected Patrol Vehicle requirement. But we are also looking to the future and anticipating new threats, and we have begun a programme to develop the next generation of these vehicles which will in due course take the place of Snatch Vixen.

Defence Capability

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effects of his proposed reductions in defence procurement expenditure on the UK's defence capability.

Quentin Davies: The defence procurement budget has not been reduced. The effect of the examination has been to focus our budget on the delivery of those capabilities of highest immediate urgency for current operations, while allowing us to continue to invest in those capabilities needed to respond to future threats.

Piracy

Richard Ottaway: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to combat piracy on the high seas; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: In most parts of the world, incidents of piracy and maritime armed robbery are decreasing. It is clear however, that the increase in incidents around the Horn of Africa is a growing problem that needs to be tackled by the international community.
	The Ministry of Defence is therefore supporting two international efforts to counter piracy off the coast of Somaliathe Coalition Maritime Forces operations, and the EU counter piracy mission, which a UK officer will command and for which we are providing the operational HQ and one Frigate.
	We have also stiffened our rules of engagement and instructed Royal Navy vessels to actively seek out pirates. Under these new guidelines, HMS Cumberland successfully deterred an attack and rescued a pirated Yemeni vessel and crew last November.
	We are determined to play our part, through the Royal Navy, and in close co-operation with other countries, to tackle piracy and to protect legitimate trade and transport.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Prime Minister's statement on the European Council, Afghanistan, India and Pakistan of 15 December 2008,  Official Report, columns 813-31, what units will form the increase of 300 troops to Afghanistan.

John Hutton: As detailed in my statement of 16 December 2008,  Official Report, column 105WS, The Second Battalion, The Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment are temporarily deployed to Afghanistan until March 2009. They will be replaced by The Second Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, who will be deployed until August 2009.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Prime Minister's statement on the European Council, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India of 15 December 2008,  Official Report, columns 813-31, what the Government's policy is on the number of trained Afghan national army troops required for security purposes in Afghanistan.

John Hutton: We welcome the decision taken by the Afghan authorities and the International Community on 10 September 2008 to increase the size of the Afghan National Army from 80,000 to 134,000. This includes operational units, trainers and enablers.
	Building Afghanistan's capacity to provide security for its people remains key to success. Therefore the UK supports ANA expansion both of its combat capabilities and in key supporting elements such as engineering, intelligence, and logistics.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the security situation in Afghanistan.

John Hutton: The majority of people in Afghanistan can go about their daily lives without fear of violence but, in certain areas of the country, particularly in the south and east, significant security challenges remain.
	The Taliban have failed using conventional tactics and are turning to increasingly indiscriminate attacks, which show complete disregard for the safety of the local population.

Air Force: Training

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many training hours were flown from  (a) RAF Linton-on-Ouse,  (b) RAF Cranwell and  (c) RAF Valley in each of the last three years for which records are available;
	(2)  how many flying training hours are planned to be flown from  (a) RAF Linton-on-Ouse,  (b) RAF Cranwell and  (c) RAF Valley in each of the next three years;
	(3)  what effect he estimates the award of the UK Military Flying Training System contract will have on the number of flying training hours flown from  (a) RAF Linton-on-Ouse,  (b) RAF Cranwell and  (c) RAF Valley.

Bob Ainsworth: The flying hours flown in the last three years and anticipated for the next three years are detailed in the following table. It should be noted that figures for future years are estimates only and may be subject to change as part of the normal management process.
	
		
			   Flown  Planned 
			   2006  2007  2008  2009  2010  2011 
			 RAF Linton-on-Ouse 11,737 12,842 12,347 14,500 14,500 14,500 
			 RAF Cranwell 17,475 18,293 19,376 21,350 21,150 21,150 
			 RAF Valley 17,327 17,096 14,894 16,910 18,510 19,200 
		
	
	The UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) will cater for the future flying training needs of the armed forces. Delivery will be incremental, with full delivery of the service planned for early in the next decade. No decisions have yet been taken on the number of UKMFTS flying training hours to be undertaken from individual stations.

Aircraft Carriers: Procurement

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the planned in-service dates of  (a) HMS Queen Elizabeth and  (b) HMS Prince of Wales are.

Quentin Davies: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17 December 2008,  Official Report, column 766W, to the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis).

Aircraft Carriers: Procurement

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the effects on the project cost of later than originally planned in-service dates for HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate his Department has made of the effect on his Department's costs of the decision to put back the in-service date of HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.

John Hutton: holding answer 18 December 2008
	We have estimated the costs of a delay to in-service dates in close consultation with the Aircraft Carrier Alliance and other stakeholders. Further negotiations with industry will be necessary to reach a firm figure and I am therefore withholding this information as its release would, or would be likely to, prejudice commercial interests.

Armed Forces

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the latest Chief of the General Staff's Briefing Team report.

Kevan Jones: A copy of the most recently published report, that for second half of 2007, compiled by the Chief of the General Staffs Briefing Team was placed in the Library of the House and remains current. I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend, the Minister of State for the Armed Forces, gave on 1 September 2008,  Official Report, column 1464W. The next report is being prepared for publication in 2009 and a copy will be placed in the Library of the House when formally published.

Armed Forces: Accommodation

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's long-term housing plan.

Kevan Jones: The Defence Accommodation Management Strategy will set out how single living accommodation and service family accommodation will be managed over the next 10 years.
	It is our intention to publish the strategy in the new year.

Armed Forces: Deployment

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many forces personnel are deployed on operations, broken down by location.

Bob Ainsworth: The endorsed force levels for UK military operations are set out in the following table.
	
		
			  Location  Endorsed number (at 16 December 2008)( 1) 
			 Afghanistan(2) 8,050 
			 Southern Iraq 4,150 
			 Baghdad(3) 250 
			 At sea 1,050 
			 Falklands/South Atlantic 1,500 
			 Qatar 700 
			 Cyprus 300 
			 Kuwait 550 
			 Kosovo 150 
			 Bahrain 50 
			 Bosnia 50 
			 Other(4) 150 
			 (1) Rounded to 50 (2) On 15 December 2008, the Prime Minister announced a temporary increase in the number of British troops deployed to Afghanistan, from just over 8,000 to 8,300 ( Official Report, column 816). The endorsed figure for Operation Herrick 9 remains unaffected. (3) Providing support to the Senior British Military RepresentativeIraq. (4) Small scale deployments in support of EU and UN missions, and headquarters liaison officers. 
		
	
	The precise number of personnel in each theatre at any one time fluctuates on a daily basis for a variety of reasons, including mid-tour rest and recuperation, temporary absence for training, evacuation for medical reasons, the roulement of forces, visits and other factors.

Armed Forces: Deployment

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of the Armed Forces are deployed on  (a) operations and  (b) other military tasks.

Bob Ainsworth: The following table shows the percentage of armed forces personnel deployed on operations and undertaking military tasks during quarters one and two of financial year 2008-09.
	
		
			   Percentage deployed on contingent operations  Percentage undertaking military tasks 
			   Q1  Q2  Q1  Q2 
			 Naval services 5 6 13 9 
			 Army 13 12 7 8 
			 RAF 7 7 7 7 
			 Total armed forces 9 9 9 8 
		
	
	This information is published annually in the Ministry of Defence annual report and accounts. The latest version can be found in Volume I: Annual Performance Report 2007-08 at the following link:
	http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/Corporate Publications/AnnualReports/MODAnnualReports0708/

Armed Forces: Deployment

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many reservist personnel are currently deployed, broken down by  (a) service and  (b) location.

Bob Ainsworth: Data on the number of reservist personnel currently deployed by service are available in table 1, footnote 1 of Tri-Service Publication (TSP) 01 (UK Regular Forces Strengths and Changes). TSP 01 can be found at:
	http://bravo.dasa.r.mil.uk/applications/newWeb/www/index. php?page=48thiscontent=30date=2008-11-27pubType =1PublishTime=09:30:00from=hometabOption=3
	TSP 01 is a monthly publication; the number of reservists deployed at 1 November will be available from 19 December.
	The number of reservists deployed by location is not held centrally in individual level databases and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Armed Forces: Deployment

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of each battalion of the infantry are in breach of their harmony guidelines for tour intervals.

Bob Ainsworth: Tour intervals are measured at unit level. Harmony guidelines at the individual level are expressed in terms of separated service, which relates to the number of nights spent away from an individual's home base. The guideline for the Army is no one to exceed 415 days separated service in any 30-month period.
	Separated service figures for each battalion of the infantry are not available centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The latest available figure for the infantry as a whole (as at 31 December 2006), shows 10.7 per cent. of personnel exceeding the separated service guideline. It is hoped that separated service data will in future be provided by the joint personnel administration system.

Armed Forces: Deployment

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many times elements of the Theatre Reserve Battalion in Cyprus have been deployed to  (a) Afghanistan and  (b) Iraq in each year since 2003, broken down by (i) length of deployment and (ii) unit down to the company level.

John Hutton: The Theatre Reserve Battalion, based in Cyprus, has been deployed on the occasions listed in the following table.
	
		
			  Date  Unit  Grouping  Theatre  Duration (months) 
			 January 2005 1 Royal Highland Fusiliers Battalion HQ and 3 Companies Iraq 1 
			 October 2005 1 Royal Highland Fusiliers 1 Company Iraq 1.5 
			 April 2006 2 Royal Regiment Fusiliers 2 Companies Iraq 2 
			 July 2006 2 Royal Regiment Fusiliers 1 Company Afghanistan 4 
			 September 2006 2 Royal Regiment Fusiliers Battalion HQ and 2 Companies Iraq 2 
			 January 2007 2 Royal Regiment Fusiliers 1 Company Afghanistan 3 
			 April 2007 1 Royal Welsh Battalion HQ and 1 Company Afghanistan 5 
			 May 2007 1 Royal Welsh 1 Company Iraq 4 
			 October 2007 1 Royal Welsh 1 Company Afghanistan 1 
			 November 2007 1 Royal Welsh 1 Company Afghanistan 2 
			 January 2008 1 Royal Welsh 1 Company Afghanistan 1 
			 February 2008 1 Royal Welsh 1 Company Afghanistan 4 
			 June 2008 2 Princess of Wales Royal Regiment 1 Company Afghanistan 3 
			 August 2008 2 Princess of Wales Royal Regiment Battalion HQ and 1 Company Afghanistan 3 
		
	
	One Company from 2 Princess of Wales Royal Regiment is currently deployed to Afghanistan.

Armed Forces: Deployment

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the compatibility of the UK's NATO and EU military commitments.

John Hutton: The UK works with international partners and allies to ensure that NATO and EU military commitments complement each other. One recent example of this complementarity has been the smooth transition of counter-piracy and escort duties off the coast of Somalia from the NATO Standing Maritime Group 2 to the EU maritime taskforce.

Armed Forces: Drugs

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many  (a) serving and  (b) former members of the armed forces are in (i) drug and (ii) alcohol rehabilitation.

Kevan Jones: Information on the total number of service personnel currently receiving any treatment for substance misuse is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, information on the number of new attendances at military Departments of Community Mental Health (DCMH) in 2007 for which an initial diagnosis of substance misuse was given is contained within UK Armed Forces Psychiatric Morbidity report which is produced by DASA and is available to view on their website at www.dasa.mod.uk/. The number of such initial diagnoses at DCMHs between 1 January and 31 December 2007 are shown as follows; these figures will include regular service personnel, mobilised reservists and entitled de-mobilised reservists as part of the Reserve Mental Health programme.
	
		
			   Psychoactive substance misuse  Of which disorders due to alcohol( 1) 
			 January to March 2007 101  
			 April to June 2007 121 115 
			 July to September 2007 124 121 
			 October to December 2007 88 82 
			 (1 )Specific data not available for disorders due to use of alcohol during January to March 2007. 
		
	
	The Department has issued guidance to commanders on substance misuse and all three services have robust drug and alcohol policies in place. As such early intervention by the chain of command is likely to occur for disciplinary or welfare reasons before treatment by the Defence Medical Services would become necessary.
	Service personnel identified by the chain of command as being at risk of alcohol misuse receive counselling and welfare support, this can include attendance on preventative early intervention programmes designed to alert them to the harm that alcohol can cause to themselves and others. More serious cases are treated through specialist medical and psychological treatment and rehabilitation, including where appropriate as in-patients.
	Drug use is seen as being incompatible with military service and as such there is a zero tolerance policy which is reinforced by Compulsory Drug Testing (CDT). In the majority of cases a positive CDT result will lead to an immediate administrative discharge. In very exceptional circumstances service personnel may be retained if their drug use is considered to be uncharacteristic and their retention would be in the interest of the service. In these cases retention is subject to the successful completion of a special programme, which is designed to re-educate and give training in cognitive behavioural therapy.
	The Department does not hold information regarding veterans receiving treatment for drug or alcohol misuse.

Armed Forces: Homelessness

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate his Department has made of the number of former members of the armed services who were homeless at the latest date for which figures are available.

Kevan Jones: The Department for Communities and Local Government and the Devolved Administrations lead on homelessness policy. They have strategies that recognise veterans issues. The Ministry of Defence does not collect on a national basis data on the numbers of homeless veterans. We have however estimated that the proportion of veterans among the non-statutory homeless population, at least in London, has fallen over the last 10 years. Independent research by the university of York published this year has shown that the proportion of veterans among the non-statutory homeless population in London in 2007 was about 6 per cent. This is a much lower proportion than in the mid-1990s when separate research reported a figure of 20-25 per cent.

Armed Forces: Homelessness

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces are living in temporary accommodation.

Kevan Jones: The information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Armed Forces: Housing

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to report assets held by Annington Homes on his Department's balance sheet under IFRIC 12.

Kevan Jones: The Ministry of Defence is currently undertaking a review of all PPP/PFI and leasing-type arrangements, including the Annington Homes contract, in order to meet the HM Treasury timetable for the implementation of IFRS as adopted by the public sector for 2009-10.

Armed Forces: Influenza

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the answer of 17 June 2008,  Official Report, on influenza: disease control, what lessons to enhance the robustness and resilience of the system were identified in Operation United Endeavour II; in what ways these lessons are being addressed; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: I have been asked to reply.
	Wherever possible, the information systems used in a pandemic will be based on existing surveillance arrangements for seasonal influenza. Following United Endeavour II, technical work has been undertaken to facilitate daily provision, in a pandemic, of data relating to general practitioner flu consultations and syndromic surveillance from NHS Direct. Work has also been undertaken to confirm the arrangements for co-ordination with equivalent information systems in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and to ensure that the National Pandemic Flu Line Service will be able to provide necessary additional surveillance information.

Armed Forces: Influenza

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the answer of 20 June 2008,  Official Report, column 1205W, on armed forces: influenza, what proportion of the A/H5N1 vaccine stockpile held by the Department of Health is reserved for use by the armed forces.

Kevan Jones: MOD has a total allocation of 108,000 doses of H5N1 vaccine, which is sufficient for 54,000 courses of treatment at two doses per person.

Armed Forces: Influenza

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the answer of 20 June 2008,  Official Report, column 1204W, on armed forces: influenza, at which overseas locations antivirals are currently held; and what the total number of antiviral courses at each location is, broken down by type of antiviral.

Kevan Jones: As stated in my previous answer, in accordance with Defence Medical Services guidance, 10 antiviral courses have been pre-positioned in medical facilities overseas; five courses in the role 2 (enhanced) field hospital unit at Basra in Iraq and five at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan.
	A further 18,000 antiviral courses for use in the event of an outbreak of pandemic influenza have been distributed to overseas locations where MOD personnel and their dependents are based. To protect the integrity of the stocks in the event of a pandemic, locations and quantities are not placed in the public domain. The quantities have been calculated in accordance with Department of Health guidance; stockholdings are kept under regular review, and there has been no need to change them since June 2008.

Armed Forces: Influenza

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the answer of 20 February 2008,  Official Report, column 698W, on Armed Forces: influenza, if he will place in the Library a copy of the guidance note entitled Recovery of operational capability in the aftermath of a pandemic; what the titles are of all other guidance notes on which work was ongoing; whether work is ongoing on other guidance notes; and if he will make a statement.

Kevan Jones: The generic MOD Pandemic Influenza Framework brings together activities which for the most part will be undertaken by Defence business units and operational commands so that they can put in place the necessary response arrangements before a pandemic emerges. The guidance notes support the key tasks identified in the framework and are in the form of one-page summaries.
	All the guidance notes, including the note Recovery of operational capability in the aftermath of a pandemic, have now been completed, although as the framework is a live document, they will be subject to regular review and amendment. I will place a copy of the latest version of the MOD Pandemic Influenza Framework containing the key tasks and guidance notes (dated October 2008) in the Library of the House.

Armed Forces: Journalism

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost to the public purse has been of embedding journalists in the armed forces in each year since 1997.

Kevan Jones: A key requirement for the MOD as a Department of State is to communicate its activities to ensure openness and transparency of government. In order to assist this we have routinely embedded journalists in operational theatres. No charges have been applied to embedded news journalists.
	In all instances where journalists are embedded this is undertaken using existing facilities. Nominal or marginal costs in the field such as food and field accommodation are not significant and are not accounted for centrally.

Armed Forces: Labour Turnover

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many newly-commissioned officers joined (a) the Army,  (b) the Royal Navy and  (c) the Royal Air Force in each year since 1987.

Bob Ainsworth: The information requested is as follows.
	Officers can become commissioned:
	when they complete training;
	while they are still untrained; or
	on direct entry to the trained strength.
	Newly-commissioned officers can not be derived directly from centrally held records, but the majority of officers become commissioned when they complete training.
	The following table shows the number of officers completing training and joining the trained strength of the UK Regular Forces(1) by Service from 1999-2000 to 2007-08. Prior to 1999-00 these data could not be derived directly from centrally held records.
	(1) UK Regular Forces includes Nursing services and excludes Full Time Reserve Service personnel, Gurkhas, the Home Service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment and mobilised reservists. It includes trained and untrained personnel.
	
		
			   1999-2000  2000-01  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Naval Service 450 420 400 480 470 420 360 (1)410 (1)300 
			 Army 560 530 540 590 600 640 630 (1)620 1610 
			 RAF(3) 510 520 570 560 570 550 380 (2)450 (2)440 
			 (1) Denotes data provisional and subject to review (2) Denotes estimated (3) RAF figures for financial years 2006-07 and 2007-08 are estimates derived from the relationship of Untrained to Trained flows with net Gains to Trained Strengths pre the Joint Personnel Administrative (JPA) system.  Note: Numbers are rounded to the nearest 10.  Source: DASA (Quad-Service)

Armed Forces: Labour Turnover

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many officers left the  (a) Army,  (b) Royal Navy and  (c) Royal Air Force in each year between 1987 and 1997.

Bob Ainsworth: The following table shows the number of officers leaving the UK Regular Forces(1)( )1987-88 to 1996-97 by Service.
	(1) UK Regular Forces includes Nursing services and excludes Full Time Reserve Service personnel, Gurkhas, the Home Service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment and mobilised reservists. It includes trained and untrained personnel.
	
		
			   1987-88  1988-89  1989-90  1990-91  1991-92  1992-93  1993-94  1994-95  1995-96  1996-97 
			 Naval Service 760 750 820 800 730 830 1,000 670 700 930 
			 Army 1,810 1,690 1,960 1,860 1,930 2,470 2,270 1,940 1,290 1,100 
			 RAF 1,130 1,270 1,200 1,050 900 990 1,200 960 1,190 1,370 
			  Note: Numbers are rounded to the nearest 10.  Source:  DASA (Quad-Service)

Armed Forces: Uniforms

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many orders for military uniforms his Department has placed with Turner Virr in the last 10 years.

Quentin Davies: Turner Virr has been awarded 33 contracts for the supply of military uniforms in the last 10 years.

Armed Forces: Uniforms

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the procurement strategy for army uniforms is; and if he will make a statement.

Quentin Davies: Our aim in procuring clothing for the armed forces is to achieve best value for money through the use of competition. Requirements are advertised and competed in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2006.

Armed Forces: Weapons

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department records the number of  (a) armoured vehicles,  (b) aircraft,  (c) helicopters and  (d) weapons systems removed from service as a result of battle damage in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2003.

Quentin Davies: Such information is held, but I am withholding it as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.

Armed Forces: Weapons

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent on repairing  (a) armoured vehicles,  (b) aircraft,  (c) helicopters and  (d) weapons systems damaged owing to their use in Iraq and Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

Quentin Davies: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Armoured Fighting Vehicles

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the answer of 10 November 2008,  Official Report, column 775W, on armed forces: weapons, when he expects upgrading and modification of the warrior chain gun for  (a) Warrior and  (b) Challenger 2 MBT fleets to take place.

Quentin Davies: The upgrade and modification programme of the Chain Gun Control Unit has already started. To date approximately 80 per cent. of the Warrior fleet and all but a small number of the Challenger 2 fleet have been upgraded. The process of identifying the outstanding vehicles is ongoing with a target for completion of January 2009.

Armoured Fighting Vehicles

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the answer of 10 November 2008,  Official Report, column 775W, on armed forces: weapons, whether the instances of undemanded firing of the Warrior chain gun referred to resulted in  (a) injuries and  (b) deaths.

Quentin Davies: Of the four confirmed incidents of chain gun undemanded firing since 2000, sadly two resulted in death or injuries. An incident in 2003 caused serious injury to a British servicemen and an incident in 2004 tragically resulted in the death of an Iraqi civilian and injury to another.

Armoured Fighting Vehicles

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armoured vehicles were in-service in the Army in  (a) 1997 and  (b) 2008, broken down by type.

Quentin Davies: The information requested is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Vehicle  In service 1997  In service 2008 
			 Challenger 1 Main Battle Tank 426 0 
			 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank 0 345 
			 Challenger 2 Driver Training Tank 0 22 
			 Challenger Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicle 81 81 
			 Trojan 0 28 
			 Titan 0 28 
			 Centurion Beach Recovery Vehicle 5 0 
			 Beach Recovery Vehicle 0 4 
			 Warrior 794 793 
			 Saxon (GWR and Patrol) 660 147 Patrol 
			 Samson 52 52 
			 Spartan 640 495 
			 Scimitar 341 325 
			 Samaritan 69 50 
			 Sultan 272 205 
			 FV430 1,833 (Mk2 only) 1,487 (Mk2 and Bulldog) 
			 Mastiff 0 108 
			 Jackal 0 130 
			 Vector 0 166 plus 12 ambulances 
			 Viking 0 116 
			 Panther 0 100 
		
	
	The Saxon GWR was declared obsolete on 31 March 2008 and the vehicles were disposed of. Spartan, Scimitar, Samaritan, Sultan and FV430 numbers have reduced due to revised Total Fleet Requirements.

Armoured Fighting Vehicles

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Supacat M-WMIK have been supplied to UK armed forces in  (a) Iraq and  (b) Afghanistan; how many of them were armoured to become Jackals in each case; and how many M-WMIKs are operating unarmoured in each country.

John Hutton: Specific operational information on the number of Jackals (M-WMIK) supplied to UK armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan is withheld as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces. All Jackals deployed on operations are armoured.

Armoured Fighting Vehicles

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the dimension specifications are for  (a) the Cheetah Force Protection vehicle and  (b) the Snatch Land Rover.

Quentin Davies: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 1 September 2008,  Official Report, column 1448W.

Armoured Fighting Vehicles: Procurement

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent on the procurement of the Future Rapid Effects System Utility Vehicle variant to date.

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what total expenditure has been to date on the FRES utility variant programme; and if he will make a statement.

Quentin Davies: Expenditure on the Future Rapid Effects System Utility Vehicle by variant up to the end of November 2008 was some 132 million.

Armoured Fighting Vehicles: Procurement

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the procurement of a new fleet of reconnaissance vehicles for the Army.

Quentin Davies: Our plan for a new fleet of reconnaissance vehicles will form part of the Future Rapid Effect System (FRES). Outline plans for this requirement were stated by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence in his recent written ministerial statement on 11 December 2008,  Official Report, column 65WS. As part of the wider FRES programme, the FRES Reconnaissance family of vehicles is in its assessment phase. The first variant into service is expected to be the FRES Scout.

Astute Class Submarines

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the clearing date is for each of the four Astute-class SSNs  (a) under construction and  (b) due for construction at Devonshire Hall, Barrow.

Quentin Davies: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17 November 2008,  Official Report, column 141W, to the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis).

Astute Class Submarines: Finance

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what budget line was used for the 227 million expenditure on Astute overheads identified in the Ministry of Defence Major Projects Report 2007 from the Committee of Public Accounts, HC 433; and what effect this allocation had on expenditure on the UK nuclear deterrent programme in each year from 2005-06 to 2007-08.

Quentin Davies: The MOD Major Projects Report 2007 (HC433) noted the transfer of 227 million from the Astute budget line to another within the Submarine Production Integrated Project Team. This funding, which was used for the generation and sustainment of nuclear skills necessary to support the submarine-building industry, was not additional expenditure but an existing part of the Astute programme.
	The transfer had no direct effect on spending on the UK's nuclear deterrent. A sustainable submarine industry is, however, essential for the effective delivery of the future submarine programme, so this expenditure will have indirect benefits.

Barron Report

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the Barron Report on defence land needs.

Kevan Jones: A copy of the 'Barron Report', which was prepared some years ago, is being obtained and will be placed in the Library of the House.

Cyprus: Peacekeeping Operations

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what systems are used to  (a) monitor and  (b) obtain information on turtle populations on the sovereign bases in Cyprus.

Kevan Jones: There are currently four voluntary 'Turtlewatch' groups operating on the SBAs. Three groups in the Western Sovereign Base Area (WSBA) and one group in the Eastern Sovereign Base Area (ESBA).
	Of the three WSBA groups, Episkopi patrols and monitors beaches focused around the Episkopi station area, which includes non-military and military controlled land. This group is predominantly led by British ex-pats and consists of 80-100 members with some serving military personnel assisting in their own time. In addition some beaches in the Episkopi area are monitored by Pissouri turtlewatch, and both Pissouri and Episkopi turtlewatch work together in this respect.
	Akrotiri turtlewatch monitors beaches around the Akrotiri peninsular, which includes military and non-military controlled land. This group has a larger proportion of military personnel contributing and the key co-ordinators are serving. Akrotiri turtlewatch is also working with Glasgow university and up to 12 students assist with monitoring every year.
	In the ESBA there is one turtlewatch group at Dhekelia that monitors the local station beaches. This is co-ordinated by serving military/civilian personnel in their spare time.
	Patrols are undertaken by these groups on an almost daily basis on known or potential turtle nesting grounds between May and September to identify turtle tracks and nest sites. Once a nest is located it is protected from stray dogs and foxes by placing a metal cage and tape around the general area of the nest. Around hatching time the nest is observed from a distance and after three days following the first hatch, the nest is excavated to ensure all the hatchlings can escape to the sea.
	The active members of Turtlewatch are licensed by the SBAA's Environment Department to undertake these activities following appropriate training.
	Since 2007 all data relating to turtle nests, hatches and deaths etc. are collated by the Sovereign Base Area Administration (SBAA Environment Department) for use in developing SBA environmental policy and assessing the impact of foreshore activities.

Cyprus: Peacekeeping Operations

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many turtles hatched at RAF Akrotiri in each of the last three years.

Kevan Jones: The number of turtles hatched on the beaches at RAF Akrotiri in each of the last three years is as follows:
	
		
			   Number 
			 2008 1,254 
			 2007 1,534 
			 2006 1,110

Cyprus: Peacekeeping Operations

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces take part in his Department's Turtlewatch scheme in Cyprus.

Kevan Jones: The number of military personnel taking part in the Turtlewatch activities is difficult to determine accurately, given the voluntary nature of the work. But, British Forces Cyprus work closely with volunteer organisations to monitor and safeguard protected species and habitats around the Sovereign Base Areas.

Cyprus: Peacekeeping Operations

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many  (a) Territorial Army members and  (b) reservists have participated in the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: As at 18 December 2008 there were 246 members of the Territorial Army deployed as a formed TA unit on Operation TOSCA, the UK contribution to UNFICYP. In the nine years previous to the current deployment, TA personnel were only sent as individual augmentees. Approximately 10 TA augmentees per year were deployed during this period.

Cyprus: Peacekeeping Operations

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much the Government has contributed to the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus in  (a) monetary support,  (b) troops and  (c) senior officers in (i) 2008-09 and (ii) each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: Our assessed contributions to the UN in respect of the costs of the UNFICYP mission for 2008-09 are 2,740,207 USD (until payment is made and exchange rates are known, it is not possible to provide a sterling figure). The following table shows our assessed contributions over the previous three years:
	
		
			   Assessed contribution () 
			 2007-08 960,793 
			 2006-07 1,162,502 
			 2005-06 709,830 
		
	
	We also contribute to the mission through the provision of personnel. Since March 2005 our contribution has been steady at approximately 274; this comprises 245 Other Ranks, 16 Junior Officers (Captain and below) and 13 Senior Officers (Major and above). Our contribution includes the Chief of Staff to the mission.
	The national costs in providing this contingent are defrayed by payments from the UN, which currently average around $1,000 per soldier per month.

Cyprus: Peacekeeping Operations

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate  (a) he and  (b) the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus have made of the (i) number and (ii) strength of Turkish forces in north Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the then Minister for Europe (Mr. Jim Murphy) on 29 November 2007,  Official Report, column 692W.
	I cannot speak on behalf of UNFICYP.

Defence Equipment

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his Written Ministerial Statement of 11 December,  Official Report, column 65WS, on defence equipment, whether the defence budget will be required to repay the full cost or half the cost of urgent operational requirement purchases over 635 million in financial year 2009-10.

Quentin Davies: We have agreed with HM Treasury an estimate for Reserve expenditure on other UORs in 2009-10 of 635 million. This is in addition to the funding that will be provided from the Reserve for the Protected Mobility package for 2009-10. I can confirm that any excess UOR spend over the estimate of 635 million will be repaid in full (100 per cent.) from the Defence budget in two years' time (FY2011-12).

Defence Equipment: Expenditure

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the effect of increases in equipment costs on the defence budget.

Quentin Davies: The effects of changing costs are taken into account in the Department's regular planning rounds. We are currently conducting Planning Round 2009, which will conclude in the first half of this year. We are also engaged in work which is designed to give a better indication of the overall impact of price variation on the Defence programme.

Defence Estates: Manpower

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are employed by the Defence Estates; how many of those are employed in Scotland; what the equivalent figures were for  (a) 2004-05,  (b) 2005-06,  (c) 2006-07 and  (d) 2007-08; what the personnel costs of the agency are in 2008-09; and what they were in (i) 2004-05, (ii) 2005-06, (iii) 2006-07 and (iv) 2007-08.

Kevan Jones: The information is shown in the following table, with staff numbers rounded to the nearest 10:
	
		
			  Defence Estates 
			   Personnel costs ( million)  Total average staff (number)  Employed in Scotland (number) 
			 2004-05 101.3 3,130 230 
			 2005-06 144.8 4,180 210 
			 2006-07 153.3 4,020 200 
			 2007-08 157.3 4,250 190 
			 2008-09 (forecast) 158.7 4,280 200 
		
	
	Defence Estates' overall numbers have risen due to additional responsibilities transferred to it from other parts of the MOD, in particular in Germany and Northern Ireland.

Defence Logistics Organisation: Finance

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much and what proportion of its staffing budget for 2007-08 the Defence Logistics Organisation spent in Scotland; and what the equivalent figures were for  (a) 2004-05,  (b) 2005-06 and  (c) 2006-07.

Kevan Jones: The Defence Logistics Organisation ceased to exist as a discrete budgetary area in April 2007 when its functions were merged with those of the Defence Procurement Agency to form Defence Equipment and Support. Personnel costs, broken down as requested to show the proportion spent in Scotland, are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Defence Vetting Agency: Manpower

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of those people are employed by the Defence Vetting Agency; how many of those are employed in Scotland; what the equivalent figures were for  (a) 2004-05,  (b) 2005-06,  (c) 2006-07 and  (d) 2007-08; what the staffing costs of the agency are in 2008-09; and what they were in (i) 2004-05, (ii) 2005-06, (iii) 2006-07 and (iv) 2007-08.

Kevan Jones: The information is shown in the following table. These figures are sourced from the Defence Vetting Agency and show all staff employed within the period. As such they may differ from statistics published by the Defence Analytical Services Agency which include only staff employed on 1 April each year and are subject to rounding.
	
		
			  Defence Vetting Agency 
			   UK personnel numbers  Scotland personnel numbers  Total personnel costs (000) 
			 Current year 396 7 (1)6,887 
			 2007-08 386 6 10,992 
			 2006-07 357 6 9,789 
			 2005-06 346 6 9,045 
			 2004-05 348 6 8,407 
			 (1) To December 2008

Defence: Finance

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total defence budget is planned to be in each of the next two years.

John Hutton: The Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR07) settlement set the defence budget for the financial years 2009-10 and 2010-11. The total departmental expenditure limits for these years, as published in Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 2008, are 35,371 million and 36,897 million respectively.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Peacekeeping Operations

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the next discussion between EU defence ministers about EU military options for the Democratic Republic of Congo to take place.

Bob Ainsworth: There are currently no plans for EU Defence Ministers to discuss EU military options for the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Departmental Accounts

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  if he will break down in near cash terms the tables included in note  (a) 24 of the MoD Resource Accounts 2001-02,  (b) 25 of MoD Annual Report and Accounts 2002-03,  (c) 26 of MoD Annual Report and Accounts 2003-04 and  (d) 26 of MoD Annual Report and Accounts 2004-05;
	(2)  if he will break down in near cash terms the tables included in note 24 of the MoD Annual Report and Accounts  (a) 2005-06,  (b) 2006-07 and  ( c ) 2007-08.

Bob Ainsworth: The expenditure in the notes requested is expressed in total resource costs terms. Near cash expenditure is not separately identified in the final resource accounts or the centrally held supporting records and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Consultants

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on the purchase of consultancy services, with reference to the Standard Chart of Account code 51401400, in 2007-08.

Kevan Jones: The Department's final audited outturn on the purchase of consultancy services, against the Standard Chart of Account code 51401400 which includes Management Consultancy of Business Performance, Financial and Accountancy Services, Corporate Governance and Audit in 2007-08 was 113 million.
	This figure is reflected in the 2007-08 report Summaries of the Ministry of Defence External Assistance Expenditure, which is available in the Library of the House.

Departmental Contracts

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on contract and agency staff, with reference to the Standard Chart of Account code 51404000, in 2007-08.

Kevan Jones: The Standard Chart of Account code 51404000 which includes Management Consultancy of Business Performance, Financial and Accountancy Services, corporate Governance and Audit is no longer in use. Expenditure on contract and agency staff is now included within overall staff costs.
	Using internal management accounts, the Department's final audited outturn on contract and agency staff in 2007-08 was 64 million. This category is for casual labour and employment agencies' staff employed for less than 11 months.

Departmental Contracts

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department plans to spend on contract and agency staff, with reference to the Standard Chart of Account code 51404000, in 2008-09 to 2010-11.

Kevan Jones: The Standard Chart of Account code 51404000, which covers Management Consultancy of Business Performance, Financial and Accountancy Services, Corporate Governance and Audit, is no longer in use. Expenditure on contract and agency staff is now included within overall staff costs.
	Using internal management accounts, the Department's current forecast on contract and agency staff is 77 million. This category is for casual labour and employment agencies' staff employed for less than 11 months.
	The Department's plans for future spend on contract and agency staff are currently being examined in the Planning Round 2009.

Departmental Correspondence

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many  (a) letters and  (b) e-mails received by his Department had not been responded to as at 15 December 2008.

Kevan Jones: The Cabinet Office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on the performance of Departments in replying to correspondence from Members and Peers. Information relating to calendar year 2008 will be published as soon as it is collated. The report for 2007 was published on 20 March 2008,  Official Report, columns 71-74WS.

Departmental Data Protection

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many  (a) desktop computers,  (b) laptop computers,  (c) hard drives and  (d) memory sticks which have gone missing from (i) his Department and (ii) each of its agencies in each year since 2003 have since been recovered.

Bob Ainsworth: The following tables show the number of officially issued assets centrally reported as recovered from the MOD and its agencies since 2003. Some delayed reporting of recoveries of hardware has led to minor updates to the figures in this answer compared with information provided in previous answers. The following figures reflect the latest data held as at 18 December 2008.
	
		
			  Figures for recovered desktop computers, laptop computers, hard drives and USB flash memory devices for the MOD from 2003 to 2008: 
			  MOD recoveries by year 
			   2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008  Total 
			 (a) Desktop computer 0 1 2 3 0 1 7 
			 (b) Laptop computer 5 6 11 9 9 26 66 
			 (c) Hard drives 2 2 1 0 1 5 11 
			 (d) USB flash memory devices 0 0 0 1 1 11 13 
			 Total 7 9 14 13 11 43 97 
			  Note:  Memory sticks are defined by MOD as USB flash memory devices. 
		
	
	
		
			  Figures for recovered desktop computers, laptop computers, hard drives and USB flash memory devices for the MOD agencies from 2003 to 2008 
			   2003  2004  2005 
			   (a)  (b)  (c)  (d)  (a)  (b)  (c)  (d)  (a)  (b)  (c)  (d) 
			   DT  LT  HD  USB  DT  LT  HD  USB  DT  LT  HD  USB 
			 Air  2 2   2 1  
			 Centre  1   
			 Def Estates 
			 DES 1 11   
			 DSTL  1   
			 Fleet  3 1   11   
			 Land  1 1   11   
			 PJHQ  1   
			 UKHO 
			 Other 2 5   
			 Total MOD 0 5 2 0 1 6 2 0 2 11 1 0 
		
	
	
		
			   2006  2007  2008  
			   (a)  (b)  (c)  (d)  (a)  (b)  (c)  (d)  (a)  (b)  (c)  (d)  
			   DT  LT  HD  USB  DT  LT  HD  USB  DT  LT  HD  USB  Totals 
			 Air  312   13 
			 Centre  224  5 14 
			 Def Estates  1  1 2 
			 DES  115   10 
			 DSTL 1 
			 Fleet 1 329 3  24 
			 Land 2   1  3 1  1 3 1 3 19 
			 PJHQ1  1 1 2 6 
			 UKHO  1   1 
			 Other 7 
			 Total MOD 3 9 0 1 0 9 1 1 1 26 5 11 97 
			  Notes: DTDesktop Computers LTLaptop Computers HDHard drives USBUSB flash memory devices Otherthe MOD agency could not be identified.

Departmental Data Protection

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of the IT systems in  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies are fully accredited to the Government's security standards.

Bob Ainsworth: The Ministry of Defence and its Agencies have several hundred computer systems in use ranging from corporate IT systems serving thousands of users across the Department and its Agencies, to business area systems serving smaller communities. The following data cover those systems within the MOD and its Agencies where accreditation is centrally controlled by Defence Security and Standards Assurance (DSSA), which are either connected to the MOD networks, or are stand alone above Secret, or are systems that contain significant value to the MOD e.g. those systems that contain particularly sensitive or personal data. It does not include those systems where authority for accreditation has been delegated e.g. stand alone systems with no onward connectivity, and where a further breakdown of information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	58 per cent. of systems have been through the accreditation process. Of these, 27 per cent. of systems are classed as fully accredited and are being operated in a manner within the MOD's Senior Information Risk Owner (SIRO)'s risk appetite; 31 per cent. of systems are currently classed as having conditional or interim accreditation with constraints placed on the operation of the system to ensure that identified risks are adequately managed within SIRO's risk appetite.
	The balance of systems (42 per cent.) are in the process of being accredited; this represents the significant workload undertaken to plan and develop solutions for new equipment systems or platforms; this also includes applications from legacy systems, many of which will be migrated onto the developing Defence Information Infrastructure.

Departmental Energy

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department is taking to reduce the amount of energy it wastes.

Kevan Jones: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to improving energy efficiency of the defence estate and the latest performance confirms that the Department is on target to meet, and possibly exceed sustainable operations on the Government estate (SOGE) energy related targets.
	The MOD's consolidated, weather corrected performance for 2007-08 relative to 1999 to 2000 levels as reported by the Sustainable Development Commission in December 2008 was:
	
		
			   Tonnes/percentage 
			 Tonnes CO2 2007-08 1,895,879 
			 Tonnes CO2 Baseline 2,112,568 
			 Performance against target (percentage) -10.26 
		
	
	This significant reduction has been achieved through a combination of estate rationalisation, greater focus and co-ordination of effort to increase energy awareness and the development of effective local initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and improvements in data management. In addition, the MOD continues to identify opportunities to further reduce energy consumption for example, investing in our infrastructure to improve building energy management and efficiency, installing more energy efficient lighting, automated metering and making available funding for energy efficiency/carbon reduction projects.

Departmental Freedom of Information

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many requests his Department has received under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in each of the last three years; in how many cases requests were refused; and what the average time taken to respond to such requests was.

Kevan Jones: Under the Freedom of Information Act we are obliged to send a response within 20 working days, and to record for performance purposes, whether this deadline was met or not.
	Statistics for the last three complete years for all Government Departments are published on the Ministry of Justice website (see following table), which includes the number of requests made to each Department, and the number refused. It also gives a percentage of those answered 'in time' (normally within the 20 working day deadline). The Department does not record an average time for responding.
	
		
			   Ministry of Justice website link 
			 2005 http://www.dca.gov.uk/foi/imprep/annrep05.pdf 
			 2006 http://www.justice.gov.uk/docs/foi-annual-report-central-gov-2006.pdf 
			 2007 http://www.justice.gov.uk/docs/foi-report-2007-final-web.pdf

Departmental Legal Proceedings

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many legal proceedings naming his Department as a defending party are under appeal.

Kevan Jones: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Legal Proceedings

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many legal proceedings naming his Department as a defending party are ongoing or unresolved.

Kevan Jones: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Lost Property

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the value is of departmental equipment  (a) lost and  (b) stolen in each of the last five years, broken down by service.

Kevan Jones: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The value of assets lost or stolen is included, with a range of other types of losses, in the summary of losses and special payments published in the MOD's annual report and accounts. Copies of the annual reports and accounts are available in the Library of the House and on line at:
	http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/CorporatePublications/AnnualReports/
	(see note 29 in the departmental resource accounts for financial years 2003-04 and 2004-05 and note 31 for subsequent financial years). The summary identifies those individual cases with a value of 250,000 or more.

Departmental Manpower

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much and what proportion of its staffing budget for 2007-08 the Financial Management Shared Service Centre spent in Scotland; and what the equivalent figures were for  (a) 2004-05,  (b) 2005-06 and  (c) 2006-07.

Kevan Jones: The Financial Management Shared Service Centre, including its predecessor organisation the Defence Bills Agency, has not employed any staff in Scotland in any of these years.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many special advisers were employed in his Department at each pay band on 30 November 2008; and what his Department's total expenditure on special advisers was in 2007-08.

Kevan Jones: The MOD had two special advisers on 30 November 2008, on pay bands 2 and 3. The Government are committed to publishing an annual list detailing the number and costs of special advisers. Information for 2007-08 was published by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 22 July 2008,  Official Report, columns 99-102WS.

Departmental Official Hospitality

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on Ministerial hospitality in  (a) 2004-05,  (b) 2005-06,  (c) 2006-07 and  (d) 2007-08, expressed in current prices.

Kevan Jones: This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Pay

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to ensure that those temporary and permanent employees at the same grade in his Department who are paid at an hourly rate are paid at the same rate.

Kevan Jones: MOD civilians are salary paid. Temporary staff are paid on the same pay scales as permanent staff.

Departmental Procurement

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of invoices for goods and services procured from small and medium-sized businesses were paid within 10 days of receipt by  (a) his Department and  (b) the agencies for which his Department is responsible in (i) 2006-07 and (ii) 2007-08; and if he will make a statement.

Quentin Davies: holding answer 16 December 2008
	Information in respect of payments within 10 days of receipt could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The Department is reviewing the processes associated with the overall payment cycle. Once this work is complete it should ensure that the Department is able to measure report performance against the Government's 10 day target. The 10 day target will apply to all MOD suppliers, irrespective of size, as it would be impractical to differentiate between small and medium size enterprises and others.
	While the Department is working towards a meeting the 10 day target, it currently measures performance against the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act requirement of 30 calendar days. This allows up to 19 days for MOD branches to confirm that the services or goods supplied have been satisfactorily delivered and then 11 calendar days for the Financial Management Shared Service Centre (FMSSC) to check the invoices and make payment.
	The information available and published in the Annual Report and Accounts for 2006-07 and 2007-08, shows that 99.8 per cent. of all valid UK bills were paid within 11 calendar days of receipt in the FMSSC.

Departmental Project Statements

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library unredacted copies of his Department's major project statements from 1983 to 1992.

Quentin Davies: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Public Expenditure

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how his Department's 2007-08 outturn main estimate breaks down between  (a) near cash and  (b) non-cash on the same basis as set out in his Answer of 4 March 2008,  Official Report, column 2346W.

Bob Ainsworth: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.

Departmental Public Expenditure

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's expenditure was on schools and community relations, as referred to in his Department's resource account code hierarchy, in near cash terms, in each financial year since 2000-01.

Kevan Jones: The total resource costs for schools and community relations are set out in the following table:
	
		
			  Financial year   million 
			 2000-01 0.439 
			 2001-02 0.371 
			 2002-03 0.224 
			 2003-04 0.466 
			 2004-05 2.457 
			 2005-06 2.889 
			 2006-07 6.023 
			 2007-08 5.439 
		
	
	Near cash expenditure is not separately identified in the resource accounts or the centrally held supporting records. Total resource costs have therefore been provided; however it is unlikely that there are any non cash costs attributed to the expenditure items which would result in the near cash expenditure being significantly different from the resource expenditure.

Departmental Public Expenditure

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's projections for repayment to the Exchequer for funding for urgent operational requirements are for each financial year for which figures are available.

Quentin Davies: The Department's Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 settlement made provision of 200 million in 2010-11 to meet the cost of repaying to HM Treasury a proportion of urgent operational requirement (UOR) costs in 2008-09, with the aim of ensuring that these arrangements are cost-neutral for the Defence budget. We currently expect UOR repayments in 2010-11 to fall within this 200 million envelope.

Departmental Public Expenditure

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the latest versions of the cost of defence output categories taxonomy.

Bob Ainsworth: I have placed the most recent version of the Cost of Defence outputs taxonomy in the Library of the House; this was updated in December 2007.

Departmental Public Expenditure

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's response to HM Treasury's consultation paper on accounting for PPP arrangements, including PFI contracts.

Bob Ainsworth: Yes, I have placed a copy of the Department's responses to HM Treasury's letters referenced RABIG (2007) 23 entitled Accounting for PPP Arrangements, including PFI, under IFRS and RABIG (2008) 03 entitled Accounting for PPP arrangements, including PFI, under IFRS: text for the IFRS-based Financial Reporting Manual (iFReM) in the Library of the House.

Departmental Telephone Services

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many telephone numbers for which callers are charged at the rate applicable to 0845 numbers are used by  (a) his Department and  (b) its executive agencies for public access to services.

Kevan Jones: The use of 0845 numbers and others that charge at a similar rate is determined at local level in accordance with individual business requirements and obtained directly from the supplier. Records of such numbers are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Depleted Uranium

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are taken to monitor civilian populations who have been in danger of exposure to depleted uranium; and how many persons so exposed have responded to newspaper advertisements and have been voluntarily tested for contamination.

Kevan Jones: It is the responsibility of sovereign states where depleted uranium (DU) munitions have been used to monitor for any possible health risk to the civilian population. The Ministry of Defence has conducted environmental surveys for DU in southern Iraq and the Balkans. No widespread DU contamination sufficient to impact the health of the general population or deployed personnel has been found in these surveys. Similar studies have been carried out by the United Nations in the Balkans and Kuwait and information presented at a recent conference suggests that the results of environmental monitoring by Iraqi scientists will be published later this year.
	In 2004-05, the independent Depleted Uranium Oversight Board (DUOB) placed adverts in UK newspapers announcing the availability of a retrospective testing programme for the analysis of uranium isotopes in urine. The test was offered to eligible ex-Service or serving personnel and certain categories of civilians who served in the Persian Gulf area between 1 August 1990 and 31 July 1991 or in the former Republic of Yugoslavia on or after 5 August 1994. A total of 496 individuals took up the offer to be tested. No evidence of the excretion of DU was found in the urine of any of the individuals tested. As far as we are aware, there has been no other initiative of this type.

Disposal Services Agency: Finance

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much and what proportion of its staffing budget for 2007-08 the Disposal Services Agency spent in Scotland; and what the equivalent figures were for  (a) 2004-05,  (b) 2005-06 and  (c) 2006-07.

Quentin Davies: The information requested is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Disposal Services Authority 
			   Scottish personnel costs (000)  Percentage of personnel costs spent in Scotland 
			 2004-05 148.8 5.1 
			 2005-06 193.9 4.3 
			 2006-07 218.5 5.0 
			 2007-08 205.0 5.4

Ex-Servicemen

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the answer of 25 November 2008,  Official Report, column 1171W, on ex-servicemen, for what reasons the actual number given is lower than the required number in each case; and what steps he is taking to increase the actual numbers where these do not meet requirements.

Kevan Jones: The information provided represented a snapshot, and in each case where the actual number of resettlement staff was below the required number, this was the result of natural and temporary gapping of posts, as a result of promotion, transfers etc. of the previous incumbent. In each case normal recruitment or posting action, depending on whether the post was civilian- or military-filled, is being undertaken to fill the vacancies, and it is not intended to leave the posts vacant for any longer than necessary to complete recruitment action.

FCR Scoping Study

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library copies of the  (a) FCR Scoping Study,  (b) FOM Mapping Study,  (c) DRMP Information Strategy and  (d) DRMS Information Systems Strategy produced for his Department.

Bob Ainsworth: I will arrange for copies to be placed in the Library of the House.

Future Carrier Programme

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the current in-service dates are for the Future Carrier programme; and if he will make a statement.

Quentin Davies: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17 December 2008,  Official Report, column 766W, to the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis).

Gray Review

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what the terms of reference of the Bernard Gray review are; and when it is due to report;
	(2)  pursuant to his written ministerial statement of 11 December,  Official Report, column 65WS, on defence equipment, what the terms of reference are for the defence acquisition review; and when it will report.

Quentin Davies: Within the policy set by the Defence Industrial Strategy, the review is to examine progress with implementing reforms through the MOD's Acquisition Change Programme and to make any further recommendations on how to secure better value for money and deliver major acquisition programmes within budget and on time.
	The review is expected to be complete by the summer.

Iraq: Legal Systems

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Prime Minister's statement of 18 December 2008 on Iraq, what legal protection UK forces will have under either international or Iraqi domestic law if the draft law on the status of UK forces currently before the Iraq Parliament is not brought into effect by 1 January 2009.

John Hutton: UK forces in Iraq have the legal basis they need to complete their tasks. On 1 January 2009, Iraqi Council of Representatives Resolution 50/2008 came into effect, authorising the temporary presence of UK forces in Iraq and providing specific legally-binding jurisdictional immunities for UK personnel as set out in the Iraqi Council of Ministers Resolution 439/2008. On the same date, a Government-to-Government Memorandum of Understanding came into effect, setting out the tasks that the Government of Iraq have requested that we continue and complete by 31 May 2009.
	I am placing copies of the texts of both resolutions and the Memorandum of Understanding in the Library of the House.

Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British service personnel have been  (a) injured and  (b) killed by friendly fire in Iraq since 2003.

John Hutton: Records show that eight members of the UK armed forces have been killed as a result of friendly fire incidents in Iraq since 2003, although it is not always possible in each and every case precisely to determine the cause of death. Details of the number of UK military personnel injured by friendly fire incidents are not recorded centrally.

Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what equipment he plans to gift to Iraq once Operation Archive is under way.

John Hutton: As the Prime Minister said in his statement to the House on 18 December, we plan to reduce force levels in Iraq as we complete our remaining key tasks in Basra in the early months of next year. Planning for the withdrawal of UK forces continues and any proposal to gift equipment to Iraq would follow established procedures.

Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK armed forces bases have been established in Southern Iraq in each year since 2003; what the  (a) location and  (b) names of each is; and on which date each was vacated.

John Hutton: The UK armed forces bases established and subsequently vacated in Iraq since 2003 are as follows:
	
		
			  Base name  Year established  Location  Date of vacation 
			 Camp Chindit 2003 Az Zubayr 29 September 2005 
			 Camp Smitty 2004 As Samawaha 30 July 2006 
			 Camp Abu Naji 2003 Maysan 30 August 2006 
			 Old State Building (Al-Saie) 2003 Basrah 20 March 2007 
			 Shaat Al'Arab Hotel 2003 Basrah 8 April 2007 
			 Shaibah Logistics Base 2003 Basrah 24 April 2007 
			 Basra Palace 2003 Basrah 5 September 2007 
			 Contingency Operating Base (COB) 2003 Basrah UK forces remain in residence 
		
	
	This table does not include details of occasions when UK forces have operated from bases run by other coalition partners. It also does not include details of small temporary operating bases.

Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many attacks of each type have been launched against UK armed forces bases in southern Iraq since 1 May 2003.

John Hutton: The following table contains details of all reported attacks against multi-national force bases in MND(SE) since the period requested. To distinguish between attacks against UK bases and those of other coalition partners would incur disproportionate costs.
	
		
			   Total number of reported attacks( 1) 
			 2003 39 
			 2004 732 
			 2005 111 
			 2006 820 
			 2007 1,374 
			 2008 108 
			 (1 )The data cut-off point is 18 December 2008.

Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability Programme

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the effect on the project cost of a later than originally planned in-service date of the Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability programme;
	(2)  when he expects the main decisions on funding for the  (a) Fleet Tanker,  (b) Fleet Solid Support and  (c) Joint Sea-Based Logistic elements of the Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability programme to be made.

Quentin Davies: The Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) programme is in its assessment phase.
	It is MOD policy not to publish in-service dates or project costs, including demonstration and manufacturing costs, while procurement programmes are still in their assessment phase.
	We have reviewed the Fleet Tanker element of the MARS programme and have concluded that there is scope for considering alterative approaches to its procurement. We expect to determine a way forward in 2009, after which the main investment decision will be taken. The later classes of MARS ship, Fleet Solid Support and Joint Sea Based Logistic, are at an earlier stage of their procurement than the Fleet Tankers. It is, therefore, too early to determine when their main investment decisions will be taken.

Military Aircraft

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many aircraft are in-service with the Royal Air Force, broken down by type.

Quentin Davies: The numbers of aircraft in service with the RAF on 31 March 2009 as contained in the latest RAF Management Plan are detailed in the following table:
	
		
			  Aircraft type  Fleet number 
			 Typhoon 54 
			 Tornado GR 136 
			 Tornado F3 64 
			 Harrier 77 
			 Nimrod MR2 15 
			 Nimrod R 3 
			 Nimrod MRA4 1 
			 Tristar 9 
			 VC10 15 
			 Sentry 7 
			 Sentinel 5 
			 Hercules K 14 
			 Hercules J 24 
			 C-17 6 
			 BAe 146 2 
			 BAe 125 6 
			 Sea King 25 
			 Dominie 9 
			 Hawk Tl 107 
			 Hawk T2 4 
			 Tucano 95 
			 Vigilant 64 
			 Viking 82 
		
	
	These figures are used for planning purposes and the actual numbers of aircraft in service on 31 March 2009 will be dependent on a combination of delivery plans, withdrawals from service and aircraft lost through accidents or other circumstances.

Military Aircraft: Helicopters

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what fleets of helicopters are available to UK armed forces in  (a) Afghanistan and  (b) Iraq; and what future (i) enhancements to the helicopters and (ii) changes to the number of helicopters are planned by his Department.

John Hutton: We currently have Apache, Chinook, Lynx and Sea King helicopters deployed in Afghanistan and Merlin, Puma and Lynx helicopters deployed in Iraq. I am withholding the number of helicopters we have deployed or will deploy as release would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of our armed forces.
	As I set out in my written ministerial statement on 11 December 2008,  Official Report, columns 65-67W, we intend to upgrade 12 Lynx Mk9 helicopters with new T800 engines in order to enhance the capability of those helicopters to operate effectively in Afghanistan. We already have work in hand to revert eight Chinook Mk3 aircraft to deliver additional capability from late 2009 and I have set out our intention to deliver additional Apache capability to Afghanistan and switch the Merlin Force there once its mission in Iraq is complete.

Military Aircraft: Procurement

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Future Lynx aircraft his Department plans to procure; and if he will make a statement.

Quentin Davies: Under the revised arrangements for the Future Lynx project announced on 11 December 2008,  Official Report, columns 65-66WS, we now plan to buy 34 Future Lynx helicopters for the Army and 28 for the Royal Navy. These new arrangements will provide increased commonality leading to greater versatility and flexibility. The In-Service dates remain as 2014 and 2015 respectively.

Military Aircraft: Warships

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has to allow French  (a) fixed-wing and  (b) rotary-wing aircraft on (i) HMS Prince of Wales and (ii) HMS Queen Elizabeth.

Quentin Davies: While there are currently no plans for French aircraft to operate from HMS Prince of Wales or HMS Queen Elizabeth, it is standard practice for fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft from allied nations to embark each other's ships for training purposes.

Nimrod MRA4 Aircraft

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the cost of  (a) adopting and  (b) maintaining annually the (i) Nimrod MRA4 platform and (ii) American Rivet Joint for his Department's purposes;
	(2)  how many jobs would be  (a) created and  (b) maintained as a result of ordering the Nimrod MRA4 aircraft;
	(3)  what estimate he has made of the service life of the  (a) Nimrod MRA4 and  (b) American Rivet Joint aircraft; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  what range of attack weapons the  (a) Nimrod MRA4 and  (b) American Rivet Joint aircraft can carry.

Quentin Davies: The Nimrod Maritime Reconnaissance and Attack (MRA4) and the US Rivet Joint aircraft perform entirely different functions.
	The MRA4 aircraft is being procured to provide maritime patrol, anti-shipping, anti-submarine and search and rescue capability. It will take over from the Nimrod Maritime Reconnaissance (MR2) aircraft. The cost of the programme for the nine MRA4 aircraft currently on order is some 3.6 billion. Support costs are currently being examined. When it comes into service, the MRA4 will carry Stingray torpedoes but through life it can be adapted to carry an extensive range of weapons and equipment including anti-ship and anti-submarine weapon systems. Its current estimated service life is 25 years. We estimate that there are around 800 jobs associated with MRA4 production at Woodford working for the contractor, BAE Systems.
	The US Rivet Joint system provides an integrated airborne electronic surveillance capability. It is not equipped with attack weapons. The costs of adopting and maintaining the Rivet Joint aircraft to meet the UK's Helix airborne electronic surveillance requirement are being assessed, along with those of using the Nimrod MRA4 and Nimrod R1 platforms, as part of the preparations for a main investment decision expected in 2009. The Helix programme envisages the provision of capability out to the 2025 period.

Nuclear Accident Response Organisation: Airwave Service

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many Airwave handsets issued to the Nuclear Accident Response Organisation have been lost in each year since their introduction; and how many handsets issued to the organisation have been disabled by the service provider through  (a) loss,  (b) breakage and  (c) other reasons in each such year;
	(2)  how many Airwave handsets issued to  (a) the Ministry of Defence Police and  (b) the Ministry of Defence Guard Service have been lost in each year since their introduction; and how many handsets issued to each service have been disabled by the service provider through (i) loss, (ii) breakage and (iii) other reasons in each such year;
	(3)  how many Airwave handsets issued to armed forces units based on the UK mainland have been lost in each year since their introduction; and how many handsets issued to UK-based forces have been disabled by the service provider through  (a) loss,  (b) breakage and  (c) other reasons in each such year.

Bob Ainsworth: No Airwave handsets have been lost by the Nuclear Accident Response Organisation.
	The number of Airwave handsets reported as lost by the Ministry of Defence Police, the Ministry of Defence Guard Service and armed forces units based on the UK mainland is as follows:
	
		
			   2005  2006  2007  2008 
			   Lost  Recovered  Lost  Recovered  Lost  Recovered  Lost  Recovered 
			 Ministry of Defence Police 8 5 14 7 33 26 18 15 
			 Ministry of Defence Guard Service   0 n/a 3 2 2 1 
			 Armed Forces 5 4 2 0 6 2 15 6 
			 n/a = Not applicable.  Note:  MGS received Airwave Radios in 2006. 
		
	
	Airwave handsets are disabled within one hour of being reported lost.
	Records of airwave handsets reported damaged or with technical failures are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. All repairable handsets are not disabled but are repaired and reconfigured for use.

Nuclear Submarines

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the answer of 1 July 2008,  Official Report, column 754W, on nuclear submarines, on what date the number of operative submarine berths at Southampton was increased from one to two; and when such berths were redesignated from Z to operational submarine berths.

Bob Ainsworth: The number of berths, as determined by the Port Authority at Southampton, has always been two; but they are only cleared to support one submarine at any one time. With respect to when berths were re-designated from Z to Operational submarine berth, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17 June 2008,  Official Report, column 849W.

Nuclear Weapons: Testing

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason his Department commissioned an exercise to decontaminate the atomic test sites on Kiritimati in 2005.

Kevan Jones: Work on Kiritimati Island was commissioned in response to a request from the Government of Kiribati for the removal of the military waste (not necessarily decontamination) resulting from military activity during the 1950s and 1960s.

Nuclear Weapons: Testing

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what levels of radioactivity were recorded during the 2005 decontamination exercise on Kiritimati; what materials were recovered during the exercise; what types of contamination were removed from the island; and at what levels.

Kevan Jones: Removal of waste arising from the UK nuclear weapons test programme on the island of Kiritimati was undertaken between 2005 and 2008. Previous survey work had identified elevated levels of radioactivity associated with the presence of radium-226, commonly used to luminise vehicle instruments at the time of the test programme, but no other elevated levels of radioactivity substances were identified during the 2005 and 2008 programme.
	The materials (including non-radioactive) comprised approximately:
	
		
			   Cubic metres/kg 
			 Bitumen 15,000 cubic metres 
			 Metal items 25,000 cubic metres 
			 Rubber 150 cubic metres 
			 Asbestos 150 cubic metres 
			 Radium luminised dials 175 kg 
		
	
	A total of 111 individual locations were identified where elevated levels of radioactivity associated with radium-226 were present. Removal of the radium required both the actual instrument and a small quantity of soil to be taken from the site.
	The highest radioactive material fell into the low level waste category.
	All of the sites were extremely localised with radium-226 restricted to an area of no more than a few square metres.

Offenders

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many former prisoners are employed by his Department; and what his Department's policy is on employing former prisoners.

Kevan Jones: The information is not held centrally in the form requested. The Department's policy for recruitment follows the Civil Service Management Code. A criminal conviction or prison sentence does not in itself prevent an individual from being employed by the Department: decisions are based on suitability for employment based on the nature of any convictions and the role for which they are being considered, and taking into account legal requirements concerning rehabilitation of offenders. The details of the character enquiries which would show unspent convictions are held on individual personal files, and the number of those who may have served a prison sentence could be established only at disproportionate cost.

Operation Atlanta

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether all vessels comprising the EU Operation Atlanta under the command of Rear Admiral Phil Jones fly the European Union flag; and from what position the flag is displayed on each vessel.

Bob Ainsworth: On 3 December the EU Force Commander of Operation Atlanta issued an instruction to the EU task force that all vessels in the force should fly the European Union flag in addition to their national ensigns.
	The EU flag will be flown from the yard arm; this is the position in which the NATO flag would be flown if the vessels were participating in a NATO operation. National ensigns will continue to be flown from the number one position on the stern or main mast.

Peace Operations Training Centre

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has to support the Peace Operations Training Centre in Sarajevo after responsibility for running the centre has been transferred to the Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities.

Bob Ainsworth: The Peace Support Operations Training Centre in Sarajevo is a UK-led organisation that is owned and managed jointly with Bosnia and Herzegovina and 13 other international partners. A date for the transfer of ownership to Bosnia and Herzegovina has yet to be agreed formally but is not likely to be before 2013. Subject to our partners' agreement we expect the UK to remain the lead nation until then. It is too early at this stage to consider what our involvement might be after that date.

Reserve Forces: Deployment

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average amount of time was between the first contact signalling activation of a reserve member of the armed forces and that individual's mobilisation date in each year since 2000.

Bob Ainsworth: The information requested is not held. I can confirm that in preparation for Operation TELIC in 2003 large numbers of Reservists were called out, some at very short notice. This was because the rapidly developing situation in Iraq at that time required us to act quickly and we were not able to give as much notice to Reservists as we would have wished. Since then, the mobilisation process now ensures that Reserve units receive advance notice that they will be required to provide individuals to support a specific operation (this can be up to six months notice). More importantly, once Reservists have been selected for mobilisation, we have tried to ensure that, whenever possible, a minimum notice of 28 days is given to the individual and his employer before the Reservist reports for duty. In many cases it is far more than 28 days. However, it must be accepted that the nature of military operations means that inevitably individuals may receive less notice of mobilisation due to rapidly changing requirements.

Reserve Forces: Training

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions individual reservists' scheduled two-week training camps have been rescheduled within two months of the scheduled date in each year since 2000.

Bob Ainsworth: The information requested is not held.

Security: Airports

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of security measures at British airports, with particular reference to those used for departures of flights transporting troops overseas.

Bob Ainsworth: All commercial flights departing the UK are regulated by the National Aviation Security Programme and are subject to routine inspection, audits and tests by the Department for Transport, as well as inspection by EC officials. The security measures applied at airports used for troop movements are commensurate with the current threat.

Somalia: Piracy

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence under what circumstances the cost of pirates arrested by British units off Somalia may be delivered to  (a) countries where attached vessels are registered,  (b) countries where capital punishment is possible,  (c) the UK,  (d) jurisdictions within the EU,  (e) the UN and  (f) a third party.

Bob Ainsworth: Every incident of piracy is different and the decision over the transfer of suspected pirates to a third party state, or to bring them back to the UK for prosecution, will always be considered on a case by case basis.
	Nevertheless, the UK transfers to third party states in accordance with its international law obligations and will always seek assurances of fair treatment and international standards of human rights.
	The UK recently set up an arrangement with the Kenyan government which allows the transfer of suspected pirates to Kenya for prosecution. This can be called upon when necessary.

Submarines: Construction

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of how the building process of the Trident II will affect the building process of the Astute-class SSNs.

John Hutton: Current departmental plans expect that construction of the successor to Vanguard class submarines will occur in parallel with construction of later Astute Class Submarines. The lessons learnt from the Astute programme are being applied to the design and build phase of the successor programme. Any opportunities arising from the successor programme that may benefit the Astute Class will be considered as part of normal business between closely related programmes.

Submarines: Construction

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Trident II systems his Department is planning to build; and what his estimate is of the interval between the delivery of each Trident II.

John Hutton: The Trident II D5 ballistic missile is the delivery system for the UK's nuclear deterrent that is carried by our Vanguard-class submarines. It is an evolutionary development of the Trident IC4 missile that the UK originally planned to procure but was superseded by a decision in 1982 to procure the Trident II D5 missile. As we made clear in the December 2006 White Paper: The Future of the United Kingdom's Nuclear Deterrent (Cm 6994), we are participating in a programme to extend the life of the Trident II D5 missile until around 2042.
	With regard to the new class of submarines to replace the Vanguard-class, as we have previously stated, the first of class is forecast to enter service in around 2024. Also, as explained in the December 2006 White Paper, a final decision on the number of submarines that will be procured will be made when we know more about their detailed design. That decision will determine the timetable for entry into service of further submarines.

Submarines: Safety

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department is planning to spend on submarine safety, with particular reference to  (a) hull structure,  (b) hydromechanics and  (c) maritime life support in each of the next five years.

Quentin Davies: Maintaining safety is an integral part of all aspects of submarine development, procurement, operation and support, whether carried out by the MOD, its contractors or the Royal Navy. The total MOD expenditure on submarine safety cannot therefore be distinguished from the wider costs of the submarine programme.
	Information about expenditure that relates only to safety is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Territorial Army: Manpower

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the strength of the Territorial Army has been in each of the last 10 years.

Bob Ainsworth: Armed Forces Personnel Statistics are published annually by the Defence Analytical Services and Advice (DASA) and copies are placed in the Library. The requested figures are available within DASA's Tri-Service Publication Number 7 (TSP07UK Reserves and Cadets Strengths) reports at the following website address:
	www.dasa.mod.uk/natstats/natstatsindex.html
	The latest edition containing figures as at 1 April 2008 was published on 3 October 2008.

Trident Submarines: Maintenance

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the maintenance cost of Trident submarines in  (a) 2013-14 and  (b) each of the next five years.

Quentin Davies: The estimated maintenance costs of Vanguard class submarines in 2013-14 and each of the next five years, which cover fleet maintenance and capital expenditure incurred as part of the Long Overhaul Period (Refuel) maintenance programme, are:
	
		
			   Total ( million) 
			 2013-14 161 
			 2014-15 148 
			 2015-16 118 
			 2016-17 163 
			 2017-18 142 
			 2018-19 137

Veterans Policy Unit: Finance

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much and what proportion of its staffing budget for 2007-08 the Veterans' Policy Unit spent in Scotland; and what the equivalent figures were for  (a) 2004-05,  (b) 2005-06 and  (c) 2006-07.

Kevan Jones: The Veterans Policy Unit has not employed any staff in Scotland in any of these years.

Veterans: Pensions

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many veterans are members of  (a) Armed Forces Pension Scheme 75 and  (b) Armed Forces Pension Scheme 05.

Kevan Jones: The number of veterans belonging to the Armed Forces Pension Schemes (AFPS) 1975 and 2005 as at 31 March 2008 is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Pension scheme  Pensioners( 1)  Deferred( 2) 
			 AFPS 1975 363,087  
			 AFPS 2005 674  
			 Gurkhas and Minor Schemes 26,488  
			 Total 390,249 324,002 
			 (1) Pensioners are those who have left the service, their spouses and dependants, who are in receipt of a pension. (2) Deferred are preserved pensions that are payable when an individual reaches the age of 60 (AFPS 1975) or 65 (AFPS 2005). A separate breakdown of personnel who are deferred members of AFPS 1975, AFPS 2005 and the Gurkhas and Minor Schemes cannot currently be provided.

Warships

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in deciding where to baseport the Royal Navy's frigates.

Quentin Davies: The scope of work carried out at the three naval bases (Portsmouth, Devonport and Clyde), including the base porting of Royal Navy vessels, is currently being considered as part of the Maritime Change Programme. This work is now reaching a conclusion although we need to ensure that final decisions are fully aligned with the recently announced changes to the equipment programme. An announcement on the Maritime Change Programme will be made as soon as is practicable.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Biomass

Peter Atkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how his Department plans to assess the sustainability of large-scale wood biomass energy plants of 50 megawatts and over; and if he will take into account that assessment in the potential impact on UK wood processing industries of large biomass plants purchasing their feedstock from UK wood markets.

Mike O'Brien: As part of the reforms to the renewables obligation (RO) to take effect on 1 April 2009, we are introducing a sustainability reporting requirement for all plants using biomass to generate electricity with a net capacity greater than 50kW. Generators will be required to provide information including the type and origin of the biomass used, and whether it was certified under an environmental quality assurance scheme.
	The Government recognise that sustainability includes whether using particular types of biomass for electricity generation is the best use to which it can be put, and that this is a particular concern where there are other industries that already make sustainable use of all or most of the available supply. We will continue to monitor the sustainability of biomass use for electricity generation through the above information provided by generators. In addition, the Government are engaging with the European Commission process to establish sustainability criteria for biomass for heat and power.

Biomass

Peter Atkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether  (a) the effect on existing wood industries and  (b) the sustainability of material is taken into account in deciding whether to grant planning permission for large-scale biomass energy projects of 50 megawatts and over.

Mike O'Brien: The sourcing and purchasing of biomass for power generation is a matter for the developer. However, previous biomass generating stations consented by the Secretary of State have included conditions aimed at ensuring only sustainable biomass is used. The Government are also introducing a sustainability reporting requirement for generators using biomass to generate electricity with a net capacity greater than 50kW, to take effect from 1 April 2009, as part of the reform of the renewables obligation.

Carbon Emissions: EU Action

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the Prime Minister's Statement on the EU Council Afghanistan, India and Pakistan of 15 December 2008,  Official Report, columns 814-17, what the financial mechanism is to make available funds for the commercial demonstration of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology; how much of the nine billion euro of such funding will be contributed by the United Kingdom; and when he expects the first CCS demonstration project to be commissioned.

Mike O'Brien: On 17 December 2008 the European Parliament passed the directive governing phase III of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), which will make available until 31 December 2015 up to 300 million free allowances from the new entrants' reserve for the construction and operation of up to 12 demonstration projects of carbon capture and storage (CCS) and innovative renewable energy projects. This does not require member states to make individual contributions, although any one project may claim only a maximum of 15 per cent. of the total number of allowances and projects must be co-financed by the operator. The total amount of funding that will be made available for CCS depends on the carbon price and the number of CCS projects that are put forward by the member states. The criteria for allocating allowances to projects will be determined over the next few months, but the aim of the mechanism is to stimulate investments in projects which will be operational by 2015.

Carbon Emissions: EU Action

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 15 December 2008,  Official Report, column 76WS, on the EU Energy Council, if he will  (a) place in the Library and  (b) post on his departmental website copies of the documents presented to the meeting by the Presidency and European Commission respectively; and if he will make a statement on the Government's responses to the proposals.

Mike O'Brien: The documents relating to the Energy and Climate Change package, the Second Strategic European Energy Review and energy efficiency were all placed in the Library when they were first published, with Explanatory Memoranda, which set out the UK's initial position.
	The documents relating to the issues discussed at the Energy Council can all be found on the European Commission's website through links on the European energy pages of the Department of Energy and Climate Change's website.

Carbon Emissions: Standards

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change by what date he expects legislation to be passed to implement the 20 per cent. increase in the carbon emissions reduction target announced by the Prime Minister on 11 September 2008.

Joan Ruddock: The amendment to the Electricity and Gas (Carbon Emissions Reduction) Order 2008 is subject to statutory consultation followed by debate in both Houses. We intend to consult on the proposed amendments early next year, with a view to completing the legislative process by the summer recess.

Climate Change and Energy Programme

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether his Department is contributing  (a) resources and  (b) personnel to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Climate Change and Energy Programme; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: The Department of Energy and Climate Change works closely with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on international climate change and energy issues, but is not currently contributing resources or personnel to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Climate Change and Energy Programme.

Coal: Prices

Richard Younger-Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the change in the price of domestic coal has been in each year since 2004; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: The annual change in the price of domestic coal from 2004 is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Coal and smokeless fuels, Retail Price Index (RPI) 
			   Cash Terms  Real Terms 
			   Index 1990=100  Percentage change  Index 1990=100  Percentage change 
			 2004 151.7  102.3  
			 2005 167.1 10.1 110.2 7.7 
			 2006 179.6 7.5 115.4 4.8 
			 2007 192.5 7.2 120.3 4.2 
		
	
	Annual figures for 2008 are not yet available. The RPI for coal and smokeless fuels increased by 29.3 per cent in cash terms between January and November 2008.

Departmental Air Travel

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many journeys  (a) he and his predecessors and  (b) his officials have made by aeroplane in the course of their duties since his Department's inception.

Mike O'Brien: It is not possible to answer this question without incurring disproportionate costs. Travel by Ministers and civil servants is undertaken in accordance with the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code respectively.

Departmental Contracts

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what contracts to which his Department is a party continue beyond 1 July 2010.

Mike O'Brien: The Department is not at present party to any contracts which continue beyond 1 July 2010, as the Transfer of Function Order related to the creation of DECC has not yet come into force. Existing contracts related to energy and climate change matters will remain with BERR and DEFRA respectively until the Transfer of Function Order comes into force.

Departmental Correspondence

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many  (a) letters and  (b) e-mails received by his Department had not been responded to as at 15 December 2008.

Mike O'Brien: The Cabinet Office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on the performance of Departments in replying to Members/peers correspondence. Information relating to 2008 will be published as soon as it has been collated. The report for 2007 was published on 20 March 2008,  Official Report, columns 71-74WS. Reports for earlier years are available in the Library of the House. When responding to all correspondence, the Department abides by the guidance as set out in Handling correspondence from MPs, Lords, MEPs and Members of Devolved Assemblies which was published by the Cabinet Office in July 2005.
	In respect of e-mails, the Department is not be able to provide the information within the disproportionate cost limit (750) as to do so would require gathering information from every official in the Department.

Departmental Finance

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his Department's budget is for financial years  (a) 2008-09,  (b) 2009-10 and  (c) 2010-11; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) was formed on 3 October 2008. Negotiations with the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) on the machinery of government changes are ongoing. The budgets for DECC will be determined once negotiations are complete.

Departmental Furniture

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much has been spent by his Department on furniture made by  (a) British firms,  (b) Remploy and  (c) overseas firms since it was established.

Mike O'Brien: The Department has not purchased any furniture since its formation on 3 October 2008.

Departmental Internet

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much has been spent on the design and implementation of his Department's website to date; how much is forecast to be spent on the migration of relevant information on websites belonging to the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; when he expects such migration to occur; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: The Department of Energy and Climate Change's interim website is hosted by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and has not required any expenditure by the Department. The Department is in the process of procuring a new website. The process for any content migration that may be required in replacing the relevant parts of other Departments' websites, and any associated costs, are still under consideration.

Departmental Official Hospitality

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what records his Department maintains of its expenditure on  (a) official hospitality and  (b) alcohol for official hospitality.

Mike O'Brien: The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) was created on 3 October 2008, bringing together staff from the Climate Change Group of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and from the Energy Group of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR). DECC at present makes use of the BERR and DEFRA accounting systems. In the case of both BERR and DEFRA accounting systems, expenditure on official hospitality is recorded as an account code. All expenditure, including that on official hospitality, is incurred, and recorded, in accordance with the principles of Managing Public Money and the Treasury Handbook on Regularity and Propriety. Expenditure on alcohol for official hospitality is not distinguished from other expenditure on official hospitality in the accounting systems.

Departmental Pay

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many people his Department employs who receive a salary of over 100,000 per annum.

Mike O'Brien: The Department of Energy and Climate Change does not employ any staff until it is formally constituted via the Transfer of Functions Order and Parliament votes a supply via the Spring Supplementary Estimate. Details of staff transferring from the Departments for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform are also still being finalised. Until these Machinery of Government changes have been completed, I am unable to answer this question.

Departmental Responsibilities

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the cost of establishing his Department has been; and how much has been spent on  (a) relocation,  (b) the logo, stationery, building signs and electronic media,  (c) fees paid to advisers and consultants on establishment and  (d) other transition costs.

Mike O'Brien: To date, the cost of establishing the Department have been:  (a) 54,000 on relocating and establishing staff in the new Department Headquarters in 3 Whitehall Place;  (b) 18,000 on logo design, branding, signage and pull-up displays.

Departmental Telephone Services

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many telephone numbers for which callers are charged at the rate applicable to 0845 numbers are used by his Department for public access to services.

Mike O'Brien: None.

Energy Supply

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will place in the Library a copy of written advice he received from officials on competition issues prior to the meeting he held with main energy supply companies on 17 November 2008.

Mike O'Brien: I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement of 18 November in which I reported to the House on the outcome of the 17 November meeting.

Energy Supply

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps the Government is taking to ensure that energy suppliers in  (a) the UK,  (b) the North East,  (c) Tees Valley district and (d) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency do not increase their distant profits through increases to direct debit payments.

Mike O'Brien: The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) is responsible for regulating gas and electricity supply in Great Britain. Responsibility for gas and electricity supply in Northern Ireland is devolved. Ofgem is currently considering the representations it has received from customers and others about suppliers' reassessments of the levels of direct debits, and is seeking explanations from suppliers. It will decide what, if any, action it should take in the light of that consideration.

Energy: Conservation

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the robustness of the UK MARKAL model on least cost optimisation of energy use, as used by his Department; and whether the MARKAL model is made available to  (a) academic institutions,  (b) non-governmental organisations and  (c) other external bodies.

Mike O'Brien: In the last five years, the UK MARKAL model has been substantially upgraded allowing improved modelling of macro economic impacts and with particular emphasis on cost data. The work undertaken has been peer reviewed both in the academic community and in workshops and the model is considered state of the art. Model outputs have appeared in peer reviewed journals.
	The model is available for use by anyone who is prepared to pay the licence fees and sign the memorandum of understanding which ensures transparency of use and a contribution to the modelling community.

Fuel Poverty

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the Government's targets are for reducing fuel poverty; what changes have been made to these targets since October 2008; what discussions he has had with  (a) the Chancellor of the Exchequer and  (b) other Ministers on this issue since October 2008; what recent representations he has received on fuel poverty; and if he will make a statement.

Joan Ruddock: The Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000 requires the Government to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, persons do not live in fuel poverty. This Act (and the Fuel Poverty Strategy published under the Act) sets a target date of 2010 for the eradication of fuel poverty, so far as reasonably practicable, for vulnerable households, and 2016 for all households.
	These targets were set when the strategy was first published in November 2001. These targets have not been amended since that date.
	In October of this year, Friends of the Earth and Help the Aged brought a judicial review action against the Secretary of State alleging that he was failing to fulfil his statutory duties under the Act. The High Court dismissed this application. However, this decision is being appealed by Friends of the Earth and Help the Aged. The Secretary of State has received a skeleton argument from Friends of the Earth and Help the Aged which sets out the arguments in support of their appeal.
	Ministers in the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) have regular discussions with colleagues in other Departments with responsibility for aspects of fuel poverty policy including those in HM Treasury.

Fuel Poverty: Peterborough

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to reduce fuel poverty in Peterborough by 2010; and if he will make a statement.

Joan Ruddock: Tackling fuel poverty is a priority for the Government. Since 2000, the Government have spent 20 billion on fuel poverty benefits and programmes.
	The UK Fuel Poverty Strategy was published in November 2001 and sets out the approach of the Government (and the Devolved Administrations) for tackling fuel poverty. The latest version of the Fuel Poverty Strategy reflects the requirements of the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act to do all that is reasonably practicable to end fuel poverty among vulnerable households by 2010.
	The Government's Sixth Annual Progress Report on Fuel Poverty shows that, in England, the overall number of households estimated to be in fuel poverty in 2006 is 2.4 million of which around 1.9 million are vulnerable. This represents a rise of 900,000 households since 2005 and a rise of 700,000 vulnerable households over the same period.
	Since 2000 Warm Front has been the Government's main scheme to tackle fuel poverty in private sector households to improve the energy efficiency of properties. Since 2000 Warm Front has assisted 1341 households, investing a total of 1,795,962.34 on insulation and/or heating in Peterborough.

Fuel Poverty: Tendring

Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of progress towards the elimination of fuel poverty in vulnerable households in Tendring by 2010; and if he will make a statement.

Joan Ruddock: Tackling fuel poverty is a priority for the Government. Since 2000, the Government have spent 20 billion on fuel poverty benefits and programmes.
	The UK Fuel Poverty Strategy was published in November 2001 and sets out the approach of the Government (and the devolved Administrations) for tackling fuel poverty. The latest version of the Fuel Poverty Strategy reflects the requirements of the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act to do all that is reasonably practicable to end fuel poverty among vulnerable households by 2010.
	The Government's Sixth Annual Progress Report on Fuel Poverty shows that, in England, the overall number of households estimated to be in fuel poverty in 2006 was 2.4 million, of which around 1.9 million were vulnerable. This represents a rise of 900,000 households since 2005 and a rise of 700,000 vulnerable households over the same period.
	Since 2000, Warm Front has been the Government's main scheme to tackle fuel poverty in private sector households to improve the energy efficiency of properties. Since 2005, Warm Front has assisted 3,254 households with insulation and/or heating in Tendring.

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the waiting time for emergency work to be carried out under the Warm Front scheme is; and if he will make a statement.

Joan Ruddock: Warm Front is not designed to be, and cannot act as, an emergency service.
	Currently, eaga plc, the Scheme Manager, has a target timescale for performing the survey on a property of 21 working days following application. Following this survey, where a heating measure has been recommended the Scheme Manager has a target to complete this work within 120 working days. In practice most measures are installed well within this timeframe, with a current average waiting time for a survey of less than 10 days, and a further average waiting time of less than 66 days for the installation of a heating measure this year.

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme: Essex

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he expects works under the  (a) Warm Front and  (b) over seventies scheme in Essex to restart; and if he will make a statement.

Joan Ruddock: Warm Front is an ongoing process. We are aware that the Scheme Manager eaga plc, did, with the Department's knowledge, stop allocating work for a five day period between 3 and 9 November while a new computer upgrade was being implemented. This is now fully operational and work is being allocated an usual.
	The over seventies scheme in Essex is almost certainly part of the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT), which commenced in April and operates throughout Great Britain. CERT places an obligation on energy suppliers to meet targets through encouraging households to take up energy efficiency measures. It is at suppliers' discretion how they meet their targets, but they will typically use subsidised offers to promote key measures such as loft and cavity wall insulation, and high-efficiency lights and appliances.
	Suppliers must focus 40 per cent. of their activity on a priority group of vulnerable and low-income households, which includes those over 70. All six major household energy suppliers currently offer priority group households free loft insulation (where less than 60mm already exists) and free cavity wall insulation, subject to a survey of the property.

Members: Correspondence

Michael Spicer: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when the Minister of State plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire of 21 October 2008 on the monopoly of storage banks.

Mike O'Brien: holding answer 11 December 2008
	Unfortunately DECC has no record of having received correspondence from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire dated 21 October 2008 on this subject. My officials have been in contact with the hon. Member's constituency office to request a copy of the letter.

Mental Illness

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the recommendations relevant to his Department's policy responsibilities made in the Foresight report on Mental Capacity and Well-Being; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: The Department was pleased to receive the Foresight report and will be considering it with a view to taking up any relevant findings.
	Part of that process will involve an assessment of what the report might mean for DECC's policies.

Microgeneration

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what plans are in place to implement a micro-generation strategy across all government buildings; and what the budget is for this work.

Mike O'Brien: The Department provides grant funding for the installation of microgeneration technologies to public sector and charitable bodies through Phase 2 of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme. This is a 50 million grant scheme that runs until June 2009. More information is available from the scheme's website at:
	www.lowcarbonbuildingsphase2.org.uk.
	The Government have a target to reduce carbon emissions from the Government estate by 12.5 per cent. by 2010-11the sustainable operations on the Government estate (SOGE) target. The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) Centre of Expertise in Sustainable Procurement (CESP) asks Departments to submit details of the plans they have established to meet this target.
	The on-site generation plans that have been reported to the OGC are forecast to save over 7,000 tonnes of CO2. The Government Delivery Plan Update, which was published on 18 December 2008 and is available from the OGC website:
	www.ogc.gov.uk
	contains details of departmental plans to deliver this SOGE target.
	A number of Departments have already reported plans to install on-site generation technologies, some of which include microgeneration technologies. For example, the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform will be installing solar photovoltaic (PV) panels; the Department for International Development are undertaking two projectsa wind turbine and a biomass installation; the Department for Transport will be installing a second combined heat and power (CHP) plant; the Department for Work and Pensions plan to install a wind turbine; the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have plans for a biomass project and a wind turbine project; and HM Revenue and Customs plan a mixture of biomass and wind turbine projects.
	DECC also plans to consider options for microgeneration on its own estate, as part of a wider strategy to improve the energy efficiency and wider sustainability of the Department.

National Grid: Standards

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on how many occasions the system frequency of the UK electricity system has been outside the limits specified in the Electricity Supply Regulations in each of the last 10 years.

Mike O'Brien: The system frequency of the UK electricity system has been outside the limits specified in the electricity supply regulations twice in the last 10 yearon 27 May 2008 for nine minutes and on 26 May 2003 for 12 seconds.
	Prior to May 2008, the previous reportable frequency deviation was in February 1996, which was for three minutes.

Nuclear Liabilities Fund

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his most recent estimate is of the monetary value of the Nuclear Liabilities Fund.

Mike O'Brien: As at 31 March 2008, the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) estimated the value of the assets held by the Nuclear Liabilities Fund (NLF) at 7.8 billion, based on the share price of British Energy at that time. Since then, HMG has committed to sell the NLF's stake in British Energy to EdF for the cash offer price of 774p per share. Assuming the sale completes, this would take the value of the NLF's assets to around 8 billion.

Nuclear Power: Finance

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change with reference to the remarks by the Minister of State for Energy on 19 November 2008,  Official Report, column 123WH, on nuclear industry finance, for what reasons a copy of the departmental minute on Sellafield indemnification was not placed in the Library following the letter of 14 July; and for what reasons the placement of the letter was checked in October 2008.

Mike O'Brien: As I explained during the Westminster Hall debate on 19 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 119-26WH; the letter, from my right hon. Friend the then Minister for Energy to the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, was not placed in the Library in July because of an administrative error.
	Policy officials sought confirmation that the letter had been placed in the Library in October when my hon. Friend raised this as an issue. The letter was placed in the Library on the day the error was discovered.

Nuclear Power: Insurance

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change which insurance companies insure nuclear installations owned by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority; in what country or countries they are based; and what criteria were applied in their selection.

Mike O'Brien: The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority arranges insurance for its nuclear installations with the following insurers:
	
		
			  Type of insurance  Insurer  Domicile 
			 All Risks including Machinery Breakdown and Business Interruption Rutherford Indemnity Ltd. Guernsey 
			 Construction All Risks Rutherford Indemnity Ltd. Guernsey 
			 Nuclear Site Liability Rutherford Indemnity Ltd. Guernsey 
			 Nuclear Marine Transit Liability Rutherford Indemnity Ltd. Guernsey 
			 Liability Package Rutherford Indemnity Ltd. Guernsey 
			 Primary Public/Products Liability CNA Insurance Company (Europe) Ltd. UK 
			 Excess General Public/Products Liability QBE Insurance Group Ltd. UK 
			  AIG UK Ltd. UK 
			 Radiation Liability Rutherford Indemnity Ltd. Guernsey 
			 Employers' Liability AIG UK Ltd UK 
			 Motor Accidental Damage, Fire and Theft Rutherford Indemnity Ltd. Guernsey 
			 UK Motor Third Party Liability Royal and Sun Alliance Insurance plc UK 
			 Group Sickness Rutherford Indemnity Ltd. Guernsey 
			 Group Life Rutherford Indemnity Ltd. Guernsey 
			 Personal Accident and Travel Royal and Sun Alliance Insurance plc UK 
			 Marine Package Rutherford Indemnity Ltd. Guernsey 
			 Third Party Airside Liability Lloyd's underwriters UK 
		
	
	Rutherford Indemnity Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. The key criteria that the NDA uses in assessing potential insurers is value for money.

Nuclear Power: Insurance

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change with reference to his statement of 19 November 2008,  Official Report, column 126WH, on nuclear industry finance, what additional assessment the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority made of the availability of private sector insurance for the public body to manage Sellafield.

Mike O'Brien: The Sellafield site is managed by Sellafield Ltd., a company not a public body. The low level waste repository facility near Drigg is similarly managed by a private company. It was necessary to provide the contractor for this facility with a nuclear indemnity but before doing so I am told that the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) approached the private nuclear insurance market in 2007 in connection with insurance for nuclear liability claims to courts outside the UK and not party to the Paris and Brussels Convention. It became clear from these discussions that commercial insurers were not prepared to quote on these potential liability claims. This established an insurance industry position in principle, in light of which the NDA and its professional advisors concluded that the position that insurers would take on the specific issue at Sellafield was clear and therefore no additional conversations were required.

River Severn: Tidal Power

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate DTZ made of the  (a) employment cost and  (b) cost to the local economy of the Cardiff-Weston Barrage in its economic impact assessment presented to the Severn Tidal Power Feasibility Study; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: The aim of the DTZ study is to provide an initial assessment of the potential economic impacts of proposed Severn Tidal Power schemes, including a Cardiff-Weston barrage, on the regional economies of Wales and the South West of England. In assessing economic impact the study has focused on those sectors that are expected to be most significantly impacted by tidal power development. Where possible, impacts have been quantified in terms of employment and gross value added variances.
	I plan to consult on the interim findings of the Severn Tidal Power feasibility study early in the new year; the DTZ report will be published at the same time.

River Severn: Tidal Power

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change which consultants have been commissioned to work on the Severn Tidal Power Feasibility Study; in what area of work each has been commissioned; and when he plans to publish their reports.

Mike O'Brien: A consortium led by Parsons Brinckerhoff were awarded the contract to manage a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the Severn Estuary and initial technical options assessment.
	In addition, PricewaterhouseCoopers were appointed to advise on how a Severn tidal power scheme could be financed, the potential ownership options and possible government support mechanisms. DTZ were also appointed in collaboration with MDS Transmodal and Arthur D. Little to undertake an initial assessment of the potential regional economic impacts of a Severn tidal power scheme.
	Subject to internal review these reports will be published alongside the public consultation in early 2009.

Sellafield

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the monetary value is of the contract signed between the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and the Nuclear Management Partners for the management of Sellafield; for what period the contract will last; what options for its extension are contained in the contract; and what provision there is in the contract for the foreign corporate partners to repatriate any profits to the US and France respectively.

Mike O'Brien: Under the terms of the Parent Body Agreement signed with the NDA, Nuclear Management Partners (NMP) and Sellafield Ltd., NMP was appointed as the Parent Body Organisation and owner of the shareholding in Sellafield Ltd. on 24 November 2008. The Parent Body Agreement, which has no direct monetary value, is for an initial term of five years. The agreement contains extension options for two further five-year terms and one two-year term, totalling a potential 17 years, which the NDA is entitled to exercise in any order. During this contract period, NMP are entitled to receive dividends based on the fee earned by the Site Licence Company (SLC), Sellafield Ltd. This fee is dependent on the quality and effectiveness of the SLC's performance. The fee is currently anticipated to be worth around 50 million a year. There are no provisions in any of the contracts in relation to the entitlement of foreign corporate partners to repatriate any profits to the US and France respectively.

Voluntary Organisations

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether his Department plans to publish a third sector strategy.

Mike O'Brien: The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) was created on 3 October 2008, bringing together the Climate Change Group of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) with the Energy Group of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR). Third sector organisations have a key role in helping us to solve the twin challenges of climate change and energy supply and we are considering the most effective way of working with third sector organisations to achieve our aims, building on DEFRA's Third Sector Strategy, which was published in November 2008, and the focus on the third sector in the BERR Better Regulation Executive's Simplification Plan, which was published in December 2008.

Warm Front Scheme

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will estimate the number of additional households that could be raised out of fuel poverty for each 1 million increase in the planned budget of the Warm Front scheme in the financial years (i) 2009-10 and (ii) 2010-11.

Joan Ruddock: Based on the existing specification, the Government expect Warm Front to assist between 25,000-30,000 households for every 1 million spent in each of the aforementioned years.
	We do not have estimates for the number of these households that will be brought out of fuel poverty. This is because fuel poverty is dependent on variables such as fluctuations in energy prices and household income which are not possible to accurately forecast.
	DECC is currently looking closely at the existing eligibility criteria for Warm Front to ensure that we are reaching those most in need. In doing so, we shall be considering the comments and recommendations made in the National Audit Office's Value for Money report on Warm Front which is due to be published in early 2009. Any proposed changes would be announced in due course.

Warm Front Scheme

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the average waiting time was between applicants applying for assistance under the Warm Front scheme and the delivery of such assistance in the latest period for which figures are available.

Joan Ruddock: The latest period for which figures are available is 1 April 2008 to 1 November 2008. The average waiting time for heating measures under Warm Front was 66 working days, against a contractual target of 120 working days. The average waiting time for insulation was 38 working days, against a contractual target of 40 working days.

Warm Front Scheme

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many claims for assistance with heating made through the Warm Front scheme were rejected by his Department in the last period for which figures are available.

Joan Ruddock: All eligible households that apply to the scheme are entitled to a Warm Front grant. The measures they receive will depend on the heating and insulation requirements of the property.
	Warm Front does not record the number of ineligible households that approach the scheme seeking assistance.

Warm Front Scheme

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many individuals have received assistance from the Warm Front scheme in the last 12 months.

Joan Ruddock: Between 1 December 2007 and 30 November 2008, 233,178 households received assistance from the Warm Front scheme.

Warm Front Scheme

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the efficiency of the Warm Front scheme in assisting vulnerable individuals who require heating for their homes; and if he will make a statement.

Joan Ruddock: The National Audit Office (NAO) is currently performing a value for money review of Warm Front. The NAO anticipates publishing its report early this year.
	DECC is also currently looking closely at several aspects of the scheme to ensure that we are providing the best value possible to our vulnerable customer base.

Warm Front Scheme: Finance

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much was allocated by his Department for the Warm Front scheme in the last period for which figures are available.

Joan Ruddock: The Warm Front budget for the financial year 2008-09 is approximately 395 million.

Warm Front Scheme: Hertfordshire

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many individuals received assistance from the Warm Front scheme in  (a) Hemel Hempstead and  (b) Hertfordshire in the last year.

Joan Ruddock: The following table illustrates the number of households who received Warm Front Grants in  (a) Hemel Hempstead and  (b) Hertfordshire between 1 April 2007 and 30 March 2008.
	
		
			  Households assisted 
			   Number 
			 Hemel Hempstead 349 
			 Hertfordshire 2,233

HEALTH

2008 National Capabilities Survey

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library a copy of the 2008 National Capabilities Survey.

Dawn Primarolo: The 2008 National Capabilities Survey (NCS) is not a document, it is a process by which the national extent of emergency preparedness is surveyed and assessed. For reasons of national security, it would not be appropriate to publish the detailed findings of the NCS or place the NHS National Report in the Library.

Accident and Emergency Departments

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) adults and  (b) children were admitted to accident and emergency departments in the north-east after drinking alcohol in each of the last four years.

Ben Bradshaw: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Accident and Emergency Departments

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many accident and emergency departments there were in NHS organisations in England in the most recent quarter since figures are available from his Department's Quarterly Monitoring of Accident and Emergency Services dataset.

Ben Bradshaw: National health service trusts self-report the number of accident and emergency (AE) services they provide against definitions provided by the Department.
	For the quarter ending September 2008, national health service trusts in England self-reported a total of 203 type 1 (major) accident and emergency services.

Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many admissions to hospital in which the patient had a primary or secondary diagnosis which was alcohol related at the start of his or her stay there were in 2007-08, broken down by primary care trust.

Ben Bradshaw: Data on admissions in 2007-08 are not yet available. We expect these data to be available early in the new year.

Ambulance Services: East of England

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of ambulances despatched responded within eight minutes of an emergency call in the east of England in each month since May 2005; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: Information on performance is published by the Information Centre in the annual statistical bulletin, 'Ambulance Services, England'. Data by month are not available. The annual bulletins are available on the Information Centre for health and social care website at the following links:
	'Ambulance Services, England 2005-06' is available at the following:
	www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/audits-and-performance/ambulance/ambulance-services-england-2005-06
	'Ambulance Services, England 2006-07' is available at the following:
	www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/audits-and-performance/ambulance/ambulance-services-england-2006-07
	'Ambulance Services, England 2007-08' is available at the following:
	www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/audits-and-performance/ambulance/ambulance-services-england- 2007-08.

Ambulance Services: Floods

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his most recent assessment is of the level of readiness of the ambulance service to respond to incidents of flooding; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: Under the Civil Contingences Act 2004, ambulance trusts are expected to respond appropriately to civil emergencies, including flooding.
	The 2008 National Capability Survey (100 per cent. response from NHS organisations) assessed that the NHS, and particularly ambulance trusts, have contributed to multi-agency Local Resilience Forum (LRF) flood plans which have been submitted to, and reviewed by, the Environment Agency (EA).
	NHS ambulance trusts are, therefore, fully involved in the flood planning process, are statutory consultees of the EA, and participate in multi-agency flood related exercises, as well as participating on LRF and associated multi-agency working groups. Recent exercise scenarios have included coastal flooding, tidal surges, fluvial flooding, surface water flooding and flooding caused by torrential rain conditions. Lessons learned from these exercises and real flooding events, are used by the Ambulance Service, with the relevant agencies in individual LRFs, to develop specific medical assistance protocols for the care and effective transportation of patients from flooded areas.
	Ambulance trusts receive quarterly updates of EA Flood Plans pertinent to their geographic area of operational responsibility.

Ambulance Services: Standards

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the arrival of  (a) volunteer responders,  (b) paramedics and  (c) other ambulance service staff stops the clock for the purposes of recording the ambulance target arrival times.

Ben Bradshaw: For the purposes of reporting ambulance response time standards, the 'clock stops' when the first emergency response vehicle arrives at the scene of the incident. For the purposes of the Category A (life-threatening) eight-minute standard, an emergency response may only be by:
	an emergency ambulance; or
	a rapid response vehicle equipped with a defibrillator to provide treatment at the scene; or
	an approved first responder equipped with a defibrillator, who is accountable to the ambulance service; or when a health care professional is at the location of the incident, equipped with a defibrillator and deemed clinically appropriate to respond by the trust. A first responder is not a substitute for an ambulance response and an ambulance response should be dispatched to all calls attended by an approved first responder.
	For the purposes of the Category A and B 19-minute standard, a permitted response is a fully equipped ambulance vehicle able to transport the patient in a clinically safe manner. This may be a car or ambulance as determined by the information received by the caller.

Anaemia

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has commissioned into treatments for pernicious anaemia.

Dawn Primarolo: The Department funds national health service research and development through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The Institute's health technology assessment programme is currently funding a project assessing deferasirox for the treatment of iron overload associated with regular blood transfusions in patients suffering with chronic anaemia; and the NIHR clinical research network is supporting a number of studies concerned with anaemia. Details of the latter can be found on the UK Clinical Research Network portfolio database at:
	http://pfsearch.ukcrn.org.uk.
	The Medical Research Council (MRC) is one of the main agencies through which the Government support medical and clinical research. The MRC is an independent body that receives its grant-in-aid from the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.
	The MRC is not currently funding any research on pernicious anaemia. However, the MRC does fund a wider portfolio of basic haematology research which may benefit the condition.

Billing

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent estimate he has made of the proportion of invoices to his Department payable to small and medium-sized enterprises which are settled within 10 days.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department has configured its systems to enable its performance to be measured against 10-day targets announced by the Prime Minister on 8 October 2008. However, it is not possible at present to identify those suppliers that fall within the definition of 'small and medium sized enterprises'.
	The first formal data collection on performance against the 10-day target is being co-ordinated across Government by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform based on November 2008 statistics. 98.02 per cent. of payments made to all suppliers, regardless of size, by the Department in November were made within 10 working days of receipt of the invoice.

Biomedicines

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what recent discussions there have been between the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence and specialist clinicians on future appraisals of biosimilar medicines; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what guidance his Department has issued to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) on the safety precautions to be reflected in NICE guidances on biosimilar medicines; and what account NICE takes of the safety precautions recommended by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency and the European Medicines Agency in formulating such guidance.

Phil Hope: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is an independent body and should be approached directly for information on any recent discussions with specialist clinicians.
	We have not issued any guidance to NICE on the appraisal of biosimilar medicines. Any relevant advice from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency and the European Medicines Agency will be taken into account by NICE in its work.

Breast Cancer: Screening

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the proportion of women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer who have received HER2 testing.

Ann Keen: This information is not available centrally.

Cancer: Drugs

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answer of 4 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 371-76W, on cancer: drugs, what the eligible patient population for each treatment was in each  (a) month and  (b) year; and how many of the eligible patient population died in each (i) month and (ii) year.

Dawn Primarolo: The information requested is not collected centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Care Homes: Elderly

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answer of 19 November 2008,  Official Report, column 518W, on the elderly: mentally incapacitated, which of the care homes were run by  (a) private sector companies,  (b) local authorities and  (c) third sector organisations.

Phil Hope: The information requested has been placed in the Library.

Care Homes: Yorkshire and the Humber

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) care homes and  (b) care home places for people suffering from dementia there were in each local authority area in Yorkshire and the Humber in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: We are informed by the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) that it does not register care homes according to the number of people from a specific client group, such as those suffering dementia, which they may accommodate. CSCI will register a home as being able to care for at least one person from a particular client group. CSCI is able to produce data from 2004. Information from earlier years is not available centrally.
	The following table shows the numbers of care homes and registered places in each local authority area within the Yorkshire and Humberside region where at least one place in the home is registered as at 15 December 2008 to provide dementia care.
	
		
			  Number of care homes and registered places in Yorkshire and Humberside where at least one place in the home is registered to provide dementia care( 1) 
			  Year ending 31 March   2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 
			 Barnsley Number of care homes 13 16 16 16 15 
			  Total number of registered places in homes (for all client groups) 642 748 748 748 722 
			 Bradford Number of care homes 103 99 99 93 88 
			  Total number of registered places in homes (for all client groups) 3,423 3,350 3,355 3,160 3,063 
			 Calderdale Number of care homes 8 10 10 9 10 
			  Total number of registered places in homes (for all client groups) 329 408 408 385 424 
			 Derbyshire Number of care homes 1 1 1 1 1 
			  Total number of registered places in homes (for all client groups) 60 60 60 60 60 
			 Doncaster Number of care homes 27 27 27 27 26 
			  Total number of registered places in homes (for all client groups) 1,043 1,043 1,047 1,047 1,008 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire Number of care homes 110 105 103 100 99 
			  Total number of registered places in homes (for all client groups) 3,530 3,397 3,434 3,408 3,410 
			 Kingston upon Hull Number of care homes 52 51 51 52 52 
			  Total number of registered places in homes (for all client groups) 1,832 1,826 1,826 1,851 1,876 
			 Kirklees Number of care homes 16 16 16 16 16 
			  Total number of registered places in homes (for all client groups) 715 708 708 739 739 
			 Leeds Number of care homes 45 44 43 42 43 
			  Total number of registered places in homes (for all client groups) 1,905 1,895 1,877 1,871 1,967 
			 North East Lincolnshire Number of care homes 28 27 28 29 30 
			  Total number of registered places in homes (for all client groups) 974 957 984 1,000 1,043 
			 North Lincolnshire Number of care homes 26 28 29 30 31 
			  Total number of registered places in homes (for all client groups) 948 999 1,017 1,043 1,127 
			 North Yorkshire Number of care homes 58 61 60 62 67 
			  Total number of registered places in homes (for all client groups) 2,036 2,173 2,255 2,430 2,753 
			 Rotherham Number of care homes 19 19 19 19 19 
			  Total number of registered places in homes (for all client groups) 1,090 1,090 1,090 1,090 1,090 
			 Sheffield Number of care homes 41 39 41 42 41 
			  Total number of registered places in homes (for all client groups) 2,070 1,997 2,077 2,139 2,099 
			 Wakefield Number of care homes 31 32 32 32 32 
			  Total number of registered places in homes (for all client groups) 1,389 1,409 1,409 1,409 1,409 
			 York Number of care homes 12 11 12 12 10 
			  Total number of registered places in homes (for all client groups) 536 517 597 597 511 
			 Unknown(2) Number of care homes 2 
			  Total number of registered places in homes (for all client groups) 149 
			
			  Total number of care homes 590 586 587 582 582 
			  Total number of registered places in homes (for all client groups) 22,522 22,577 22,892 22,977 23,450 
			 (1) Homes are not registered according to the actual number of places they have for each client group. They indicate which groups they can provide at least one place for. The number of registered places shown is for all client groups homes have informed CSCI they can accommodate as at 15 December 2008. This is because CSCI does not hold historic data for client group registration. (2) Local council data are derived from the postcode of the service. Where post code is not provided the service is recorded as Unknown.  Source:  CSCI database (static cut 02/05/08).

Carers

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what support the NHS national operating framework gives to carers with respite care and funding for short breaks;
	(2)  what assistance is provided by his Department for carers' training; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  how the NHS national operating framework is intended to assist carers; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: The operating framework for the national health service, which sets out the specific business and financial arrangements for the NHS in any given year, first made specific references to supporting carers in the 2008-09 report. The recently published operating framework for 2009-10 goes further. It requires primary care trusts (PCTs) to work with their local authority partners and publish joint plans on how their combined funding will support breaks for carers, including short breaks, in a personalised way.
	150 million will be included in PCT allocations over the next two years. 50 million will be provided in 2009-10 and 100 million in 2010-11. This money will support all carers.
	The 2006 White Paper 'Our health, our care, our say' announced the New Deal for Carers. It included Caring with Confidence (CwC)a training programme for carers. The first training commenced in August 2008 and distance-training modules will be available from January 2009. It is being run by a consortium led by the Expert Patients Programme and includes the three main carers' organisations (Carers UK, Crossroads and the Princess Royal Trust for Carers) and Partners in Policymaking. 4.4 million per year has been allocated to fund this programme.
	The delivery of CwC will be through existing local providers of serviceswhether from the third or statutory sectors. Local providers have been invited to become part of this delivery process, through a nationally advertised tendering process; from this work CwC will put in place a national network of local providers.

Carers: Advisory Services

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department's carers' information service and helpline have been established.

Phil Hope: The website will go live toward the end of January 2009, with some 200 pages of information and another 600 pages will be added by the end of March 2009.
	The Department has awarded a contract to bss (a charity that specialises in not-for-profit helplines) to provide the helpline (available by phone, e-mail and post). It is anticipated that the helpline will be in place in April 2009.

Child Health Promotion Programme

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what date the schedule to and guidance on the most recent update of the Child Health Promotion Programme was published.

Ann Keen: The updated Child Health Promotion Programme Guide, for children up to five years of age, was published and launched on 17 March 2008.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent research his Department has conducted or evaluated on the relationship between myalgic encephalopathy/chronic fatigue syndrome and mitochondrial damage.

Ann Keen: Neither the Department nor the Medical Research Council is funding research on the relationship between chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalopathy and mitochondrial damage.

Collaborations for Leadership in Applied Health, Research and Care

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made on the work of Collaborations for Leadership in Applied Health, Research and Care; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Nine of the national health service and university partnerships that earlier this year bid for collaboration for leadership in applied health research and care (CLAHRC) status were successful. Their National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) funding began on 1 October 2008 and is for a period of five years.
	An evaluation of the CLAHRC initiative is being commissioned via the NIHR service delivery and organisation programme. Details are available at:
	www.sdo.nihr.ac.uk/currentcalls.html

Community Care: Finance

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which local councils received a preventative technology grant in  (a) 2006-07 and  (b) 2007-08.

Phil Hope: All councils in England with social service responsibilities received a preventative technology grant in 2006-07 and 2007-08. Full details are in Local Authority Circular LAC (2006)5 which has been placed in the Library.

Connecting For Health

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answer of 24 November 2008, on connecting for health, what the maximum potential sum for each contract is.

Ben Bradshaw: The maximum potential sum for each of the national programme for information technology core contracts is the total sum payable to the supplier over the lifetime of the contract. This figure for each contract is in the table.
	
		
			  Core contracts 
			million 
			 London 1,021.0 
			 South 1,104.0 
			 North East 1,035.0 
			 East 930.0 
			 North West and West Midland 1,042.0 
			 Spine 889.0 
			 N3 network 530.0 
			 Choose and Book 144.5 
			  Note: 2004-05 prices: reported in The National Programme for IT in the NHS: Project Progress Report (National Audit Office 16 May 2008)

Contraceptives: Young People

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on the use of the contraception pill by female teenagers.

Dawn Primarolo: One of the aims of the Government's Sexual Health and HIV Strategy and Teenage Pregnancy Strategy is to reduce teenage pregnancies. It is therefore vital that sexually active young people have access to the full range of methods of contraception, including the contraceptive pill. It is, however, for the health care professional, in conjunction with the young woman, to decide the most suitable method of contraception for her.

Cooperation and Competition Panel

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what date the Cooperation and Competition Panel was launched; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: Lord Carter of Coles, Chair of the Cooperation and Competition Panel (The Panel) has publicly stated that the Panel would open for referrals in January 2009.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what reports he has received of the prevalence of new variant CJD in the population carrying the MV gene; and what steps he is taking in response to such reports.

Dawn Primarolo: There have been a total of 167 cases of clinical vCJD in the United Kingdom. All of these patients have been of MM genotype. There has been one reported case of sub-clinical vCJD in a person of MV genotype, who died of an unrelated cause without having developed clinical symptoms of vCJD.
	In December 2008, BBC Newsnight reported a case of CJD in a patient of MV genotype. As part of a well established system, all known suspect cases of CJD are reviewed and followed up by the National CJD Surveillance Unit in Edinburgh and the National Prion Unit in London. To date, the National CJD Surveillance Unit has not identified a definite or probable case of vCJD in a non-MM genotype individual.
	The measures that have been put in place to minimise the risk of person to person transmission of vCJD are appropriate for the whole population, irrespective of the genotype of the patient.

Dementia

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the role of the NHS national operating framework is with regard to supporting a national dementia strategy.

Phil Hope: The National Dementia Strategy has been identified as a priority in the National Operating Framework for primary care trusts (PCTs) for both this year and next. Early intervention in cases of dementia by PCTs is cost-effective and can improve quality of life for people with dementia and their families.

Departmental Data Protection

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of contractors and suppliers to  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies have reported that they are compliant with the Government's security standards following publication of the report, Data Handling Procedures in Government, and the accompanying document, Cross-departmental Actions: Mandatory Minimum Action, on 25 June 2008.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department's Senior Information Risk Owner (SIRO) wrote to all Directors in November 2008 requiring them to seek assurance from contractors and suppliers within their area of responsibility that they are aware of, and comply with, the Government's security standards set out in the report, Data Handling Procedures in Government, and the accompanying document, Cross-departmental Actions: Mandatory Minimum Action. The response to this exercise will be recorded in end of year assurance statements in March 2009.
	Security and information assurance conditions are available for use by NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (PASA) and the wider NHS in relevant tendering exercises, i.e. where personal or other confidential information will be used, disseminated or handled by the relevant public body or any third party associated with the contract (including but not limited to ICT contracts). These conditions fully comply with the latest data handling procurement policy guidance published by OGC in November 2008. NHS PASA is in the process of contacting its own suppliers to ensure they are compliant with the Government security standards.
	The Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory products Agency (MHRA) and all its suppliers are compliant with the Government's security standards and the Data Handling Procedures.

Departmental Data Protection

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many contracts  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies have which allow contractors to store personal data of UK citizens overseas; for which contracts this applies; in which countries the data for each contract are held; and how many people have their data stored overseas in the case of each such contract.

Ben Bradshaw: Neither the Department nor its agencies, the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency or the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, have any contracts allowing contractors to store personal data of United Kingdom citizens overseas.

Departmental Data Protection

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when his Department appointed a senior information risk owner in accordance with the report, Data Handling Procedures in Government and the accompanying document Cross-departmental Actions: Mandatory Minimum Action; when the appointment was made; and what grade the person holds within the Department.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department appointed a senior information risk owner (SIRO) on 15 March 2004 in response to a letter from Cabinet Office in February 2004, and consequently before the requirements for such an appointment in the report, Data Handling Procedures in Government and the accompanying document Cross-departmental Actions: Mandatory Minimum Action.
	The SIRO is a director general.

Departmental Data Protection

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the IT systems in  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies are fully accredited to the Government's security standards.

Ben Bradshaw: All the Department's information technology (IT) systems meet the requirements set out in the Security Policy Framework (SPF), the Data Handling Report (DHR) and related Cross Government Actions: Minimum Mandatory Measures. They also comply with ISO27001, the standard for Information Security Management.
	Of its agencies, the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency's IT systems are fully certified to ISO27001 and they are required to comply with the requirements of the SPF and the DHR.
	The Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory products Agency and all its suppliers are compliant with the Government's security standards and the data handling procedures.

Departmental Deposits

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what deposits  (a) his Department and  (b) the NHS has overseas.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department of Health has no deposits overseas.
	The Department does not hold any information on the individual deposits held by national health service trusts, primary care trusts or strategic health authorities.

Departmental Deposits

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what  (a) sterling and  (b) foreign exchange deposits (i) his Department and (ii) the NHS has abroad.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department has no sterling or foreign exchange deposits abroad.
	The Department does not hold any information on the individual sterling or foreign exchange deposits held by national health service trusts, primary care trusts or strategic health authorities.

Departmental Equality

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department holds on the  (a) sex,  (b) ethnicity,  (c) age,  (d) disability,  (e) sexual orientation and  (f) religion or belief of its staff; and what assessment he has made of his Department's performance against its targets relating to diversity in its workforce.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department holds workforce data on sex, ethnicity, age and disability and will be collecting data on sexual orientation and religion or belief, which will be available in 2009. These data are used to track progress, on a quarterly and annual basis, against its diversity targets.
	This year the Department has exceeded the Cabinet Office targets for women, black and minority ethnic staff and disabled staff in the senior civil service, apart from those for women in top management posts.

Departmental Freedom of Information

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 have been made to his Department since 2005; how many such requests were  (a) agreed to and  (b) refused in each of those years; how many refusals were subject to appeal to the Information Commissioner in each of those years; how many appeals were successful; if he will place in the Library copies of the material subsequently provided in each case; how much was spent by his Department opposing each appeal; which (i) consultants and (ii) law firms were employed by his Department in connection with each appeal; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The following table provides a breakdown of the number of requests under the Freedom of Information Act to the Department since 2005; requests agreed to and refused in each of those years; how many refusals were subject to appeal to the Information Commissioner in each year; and how many appeals were successful. A copy of the material provided in each successful appeal to the Information Commissioner has been placed in the Library.
	Legal advice on Information Commissioner appeals is provided to the Department by Department of Health Legal Services, which is part of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Legal Group. Department of Health Legal Services provides a full range of legal services to the Department of Health including arranging representation in court. The Department has not directly employed consultants or separate law firms in connection with any Information Commissioner appeals. Elements of the Department employ law firms during the course of their business and, as such, may contribute to the Department's handling of ICO appeals. The Department of Health's Connecting for Health and Commercial Directorate use separate lawyers. To extract the component regarding appeals can be achieved only at a disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  Table 1: Freedom of Information Act requests to the Department of Health from Quarter 1 2005 to Quarter 2 2008; requests agreed to and refused in each of those years; how many refusals subject to appeal to Information Commissioner in each year; how many appeals were successful; costs for Department of Health opposing each appeal 
			   Total FOI requests  Agreed  Refused( 1 (table 3))  ICO appeals( (table 7))  Successful appeals( 2) 
			 2005 1,203 (4)708 128 6 0 
			 2006 1,411 (4)929 114 24 2 
			 2007 ((table 8)) 1,286 (4)820 153 18 0 
			 2008 (3)672 (4)201 46 (5) (5) 
			 Totals 4,231 2,658 441 48 2 
			 (1) Includes partially and fully withheld.  (2) Includes upheld in full/upheld in part.  (3) Quarters 1 and 2 only.  (4) Includes granted in full/partially upheld.  (5) To be published in the Ministry of Justice annual report expected in June 2009.   Note:  Data extracted from Annual and Quarterly statistics published by the Ministry of Justice (formerly Department for Constitutional Affairs).

Departmental Marketing

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many complaints about advertisements sponsored or funded by his Department were made to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) in each year from 1997 to 2008; and how many of these were upheld by the ASA in each year.

Ben Bradshaw: Information on the number of complaints made about departmental advertising to the Advertising Standards Authority is not kept centrally and to gather the information would incur a disproportionate cost.

Departmental Official Hospitality

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent on  (a) departmental Christmas parties and  (b) staff entertainment in the last three years.

Ben Bradshaw: Under the Department's Code of Business Conduct, public money must not be used to fund occasions such as social gatherings, retirement or office parties.

Departmental Public Consultation

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on which occasions his Department has convened a citizens' jury or randomly drawn panel of people to aid the Department's policy making since 2000; whether the participants were paid in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department recognises the important contribution that the public can make in developing policy and carry out a wide range of activities which allow Ministers and officials to listen to and understand the views of the public and stakeholders in developing policy.
	Data from 2000 on the number of citizens' juries and consultation with a random panel of people to aid decision-making by the Department is not readily available. Supplying the occurrences of citizens' juries and deliberative consultations would require a substantive investigation into all public engagement programmes undertaken by various divisions within the Department at a disproportionate cost.
	However, we can identify some of the recent major occasions that the Department has convened citizens' juries or consulted random panels of people who were paid since 2000. These include:
	Potential impact of opt-out system for Organ Donation (2008)
	Review into the Consequences of Additional Private Drugs for the NHS (2008)
	NHS Next Stage Reviewled by Lord Darzi (2007-08)
	Primary and Community Care Review (2008)
	Carer's Strategy Consultation (2007-08)
	Your health, your care, your say (2005)
	Choosing Health (2004).

Departmental Public Expenditure

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent on banner stands bearing his image and title since his appointment; and how many such stands have been procured.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department has not spent any monies on procuring or designing banner stands bearing the Secretary of State's image and title since his appointment.

Departmental Redundancy

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff in his Department left under  (a) involuntary and  (b) voluntary staff exit schemes in each year since 2005-06; how many of them in each case were paid (i) up to 25,000, (ii) 25,001 to 50,000, (iii) 50,001 to 75,000, (iv) 75,001 to 100,000 and (v) over 100,000 in the year before they left; and how much (A) was spent in each of those years and (B) is planned to be spent on such schemes in (1) 2008-09 and (2) 2009-10 by (y) his Department and (z) each of his Department's agencies.

Ben Bradshaw: The information is not available in the form that has been requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Senior Civil Servants

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what remuneration packages senior civil servants in his Department receive; and what benefits in kind each has received in the last 12 months.

Ben Bradshaw: Details of the remuneration packages for the Department's Directors-General are shown in the Remuneration Report part of the annual Resource Accounts. A copy of the Department's Resource Accounts for the financial year 2007-08 has already been placed in the Library and can be accessed at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/DH_089421
	The Department Resource Accounts for financial year 2008-09 will be laid before Parliament in 2009 and placed in the Library, in line with standard procedures.

Departmental Telephone Services

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many telephone numbers for which callers are charged at the rate applicable to 0845 numbers are used by  (a) his Department and  (b) its executive agencies for public access to services.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department runs or supports six 0845 telephone numbers for use by the public.
	Two of these numbers, those serving recruitment for social care and social workers, will be moved over to the new 0300 tariff by the end of February. The use of 0845 numbers for the other four lines is currently under review.
	The Department's Executive agencies, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency have no 0845 or similar cost telephone numbers for use by the public.

Diabetes: Bexley

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children under the age of 16 had  (a) type one and  (b) type two diabetes in the Bexley Primary Care Trust area in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Ann Keen: Data for the number of children of school age diagnosed with diabetes are not available. However, estimates suggest there are an estimated 20,000 children with diabetes in England (the vast majority Type 1 diabetes), and some experts suggest that there may also be up to 1,000 children with type 2 diabetes in England.

Domestic Violence: Ethnic Groups

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what date his Department's report on developing effective responses for Asian women experiencing domestic violence was published.

Phil Hope: The report 'Effective mental health responses for Asian women experiencing domestic Violence' will be published early in 2009.

Down's Syndrome: Research

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department has spent on research into Down's syndrome in each of the last five years.

Phil Hope: The available information is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  000 
			   Department of Health  Medical Research Council 
			 2003-04 111 183 
			 2004-05 137 21 
			 2005-06 178 71 
			 2006-07 221 107 
			 2007-08 299 112 
		
	
	The Departmental figures relate to national research programme expenditure. They do not include the significant expenditure on Down's syndrome research from the research and development allocations that have over the last 10 years been made annually to national health service providers. That information is not held centrally.
	The Medical Research Council (MRC) is one of the main agencies through which the Government support biomedical research. The MRC is an independent body funded by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.

Drugs: Coastal Areas

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his most recent estimate is of the number of drug and alcohol support personnel employed in each of the principal seaside towns of England.

Dawn Primarolo: Information on the number of people employed in drug and/or alcohol treatment services is not collected centrally.

Eating Disorders: Internet

Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent meetings his Department has had with internet service providers regarding websites which are pro-anorexia or pro-bulimia.

Ann Keen: The Department has had no meetings with internet service providers about pro-anorexia or pro-bulimia websites.
	The Government are concerned about the risks posed by websites which encourage anorexia or bulimia. We continue to explore a variety of courses of action. For example, we have worked with a media agency which offered their expertise pro bono to run advertisements directing youngsters to more appropriate sites.

Eating Disorders: Internet

Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent steps his Department has taken to promote awareness among parents of the dangers of pro-anorexia and pro-bulimia websites.

Ann Keen: Responsibility for the regulation of the internet rests with the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.
	The Government are concerned about the risks posed by websites which encourage anorexia or bulimia. However, these sites are not in themselves illegal, and may be hosted by internet service providers based overseas, so the Government are normally unable to take legal action against them.

Elderly: Abuse

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 11 December 2008,  Official Report, column 229W, on elderly: abuse, what each of the 15 reports of serious case reviews was; and what account was taken of them in the drafting of the consultation document.

Phil Hope: Of the 15 reports analysed for the draft research study on serious case reviews, to be published this winter, 10 involved a fatality and evidence of neglect or abuse (whether or not such neglect or abuse was clearly causative of death). The remainder involved either sexual assault, or institutional abuse. Of the 15 reports, seven of the cases involved neglect or abuse taking place at the service user's home.
	The development of the consultation document involved consideration of a wide range of information and views from a wide range of key stakeholders. The information from the draft research report on serious case reviews provided useful information to help formulate the questions asked in the consultation document about serious case reviews.

Electromagnetic Fields: Health Hazards

Howard Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to publish a response to the Stakeholder Advisory Group on Electro-Magnetic Radiation report on high voltage power lines and health; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: A Government response to the First Interim Assessment published by the Stakeholder Advisory Group on Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields is likely to be published early in 2009.

Food: Safety

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 15 December 2008,  Official Report, column 450W, on food: safety, where the 21 public analyst laboratories are located.

Dawn Primarolo: The laboratories are located in Aberdeen, Belfast, Bristol, Cardiff, Dundee, Durham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London (Acton), Morley (Leeds), Llanelli, Manchester, Norwich, Preston, Southsea, Stafford, Stourport, Taunton, West Malling, Wigston (Leicestershire) and Wolverhampton.

General Practitioners: Finance

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which GP practices depend on the minimum practice income guarantee to continue in operation.

Ben Bradshaw: At present around 91 per cent. of general medical services (GMS) general practitioner practices receive the minimum practice income guarantee. In the vast majority of practices these protection payments make up only a small proportion of their total national health service income. However we estimate that in just over 1 per cent. of GMS practices the minimum practice income guarantee comprises more than 25 per cent. of their total NHS income.

Health Services: Elderly

Stephen Hesford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provisions have been made to enable older people with debilitating health conditions to travel to treatment centres outside their locality from April 2008.

Ben Bradshaw: Regardless of their age, national health service patients with a medical need for transport (as determined by a healthcare professional) are entitled to free transport to and from their treatment as part of non-emergency Patient Transport Services (PTS). Primary care trusts are responsible for securing the provision of PTS for the population it covers to such an extent, as they consider necessary to meet all reasonable requirements. This includes paying for transport to or from out of area healthcare providers, and transport between healthcare providers.

Health Services: Finance

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether local authorities are required to set a financial limit on the amount awarded to an individual for social care under an Individual Budget.

Phil Hope: Local authorities are not required to place a financial limit on an individual budget when undertaking personal assessment of a person's social care needs.

Health Services: Finance

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in developing his better-targeted approach to payment for specialised services; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: Health Resource Group version 4 (HRG4) has been designed over a number of years specifically for Payment by Results (PbR), with substantial clinical involvement. The Department is planning for HRG4 to be introduced for payment of tariff from April 2009. The changes underpinning the new tariff have already been extensively discussed and tested with a wide range of stakeholder groups.
	The new tariff is currently being 'road tested' by the NHS, the purpose of which is to support early service and financial planning and invite comments on the clarity and comprehensiveness of guidance. The Department is also using the exercise to identify whether the new tariff has any unintended consequences. Following the road testing exercise, the final tariff is expected to be confirmed in January.
	The Department has already determined though, that in order to help trusts adjust to the new tariff, the full range of potential changes will not be introduced in 2009-10. Tariffs for accident and emergency services will remain based on the current tariff structure, and although HRG4 has the capability to generate HRGs for procedures in outpatients clinics, there will not be a mandatory tariff for these procedures next year. The full benefits of the new design will be realised gradually, as the quality of underlying activity and cost data improves.
	The Department has undertaken an analysis which shows that because funds are directed more accurately to specialised services under HRG4, the number of services requiring specialised service 'top-ups' is reduced from nine to two. The only two services requiring top-ups in 2009-10 are orthopaedics and specialised services for children, and in both cases the level of top-ups is lower than in 2008-09.

Health Services: Foreigners

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many individuals with an NHS number were foreign nationals in each year since 1997.

Dawn Primarolo: The Department does not hold this information centrally.

Health Services: Greater London

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his latest assessment is of the financial position of  (a) Havering Primary Care Trust and  (b) Barking, Havering and Redbridge NHS Trust; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: At quarter 2 of 2008-09 Havering Primary Care Trust is forecasting a year end outturn surplus of 695,000. Barking Havering and Redbridge NHS Trust is forecasting a year end outturn deficit of 23.3 million.
	Barking Havering and Redbridge NHS Trust continues to be designated as a Financially Challenged Trust and as such continues to work with the Department through its Strategic Health Authority (NHS London) to develop sustainable operating and financial solutions going forward.

Health Services: Recruitment

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the results of the national social care recruitment campaign; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: The latest social care recruitment campaign took place during March 2008. The campaign generated more than twice the level of contacts to the call centre than the previous campaign and increased the number of unique web visitors by a factor of three. In total during the campaign period there were just under 180,000 contacts and unique web visitors. The campaign research also indicated a significant increase in awareness of the advertising among the general adult population compared to the previous campaign.

Health Services: Research

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the result of the independent research programme commissioned by his Department to evaluate the impact of health sector reform is; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The independent Health Reform Evaluation Programme consists of interconnected research projects looking at the impact of key health reforms. The projects were commissioned during 2007 and 2008 and have three years to run. They are expected to report during 2010 and early 2011.

Health Services: Standards

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the support and development framework for commissioners developed by strategic health authorities.

Ben Bradshaw: Strategic health authorities (SHAs) are leading on the support and development of World Class Commissioning locally. Programmes and frameworks will be determined locally by an assessment of needs in their primary care trusts. The Department does not hold the details of SHA frameworks.

Health Services: Standards

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made on modernising the regulation of healthcare workers; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The Extending Professional Regulation Working Group is developing criteria to assess whether new groups of health care professionals should be brought into a system of regulation. Following a successful event in November 2008 with a wide variety of stakeholders, a report on next steps is currently being drafted for consideration by Ministers. This report is due for completion shortly.

Health Services: Training

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in developing a National Skills Academy for Social Care; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills announced in October that the expression of interest in developing a national skills academy for social care had been approved by the Learning and Skills Council to go into business planning. Work is proceeding to develop a business plan that meets the requirements of the Learning and Skills Council to be submitted in spring 2009 together with some programmes.

Health: Young People

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to encourage a healthy lifestyle amongst teenagers in  (a) England,  (b) the North East,  (c) Tees Valley district and  (d) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency.

Dawn Primarolo: The Department is working closely with the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills across England to address healthy lifestyles for children and young people on a variety of key health issues, including sexual health, tobacco and alcohol.
	Holistic health initiatives include the Healthy Schools Programme, the developing Healthy Further Education Programme and the development of a new Child Health Promotion Programme for five to 19-year-olds, as well as the availability of the NHS Teen LifeCheck (a quick quiz-style online questionnaire for 12 to 15-year-olds).
	There is also specific action on alcohol as set out in The Youth Alcohol Action Plan (CM7387) (DCSF) published in June 2008 and media campaigns such as the RU Thinking campaign and the Want Respect: Use a Condom campaign which address sexual health. A copy of The Youth Alcohol Action Plan is available in the Library.
	All these activities are aimed at supporting young people throughout England. Each Government office, primary care trust and local authority receives support and guidance from the Department to ensure optimum implementation across their local area. In addition, the Department funded the two-year Teenage Health Demonstration Sites pilot to examine ways of delivering better health information, advice and guidance to young people. Northumberland was one of the four demonstration sites. The evaluation report will be available in the new year, and early results look promising.

Hearing Aids

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what regulations govern private companies selling hearing aids to people with hearing impairments; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: I have been asked to reply.
	Private companies selling hearing aids to people with hearing impediments are regulated by the Hearing Aid Council Act 1968, as modified in 1989. The Act makes it a statutory requirement that hearing aids may only be sold by a dispenser who is suitably qualified and who is registered with the Hearing Aid Council (HAC)which was established by the Act to set standards of professional training, performance and conduct for individuals and companies involved in the assessment of hearing loss and subsequent sale of hearing aids in the private sector.
	Following the Hampton Review of Regulators, the Hearing Aid Council is due to be abolished and its regulatory functions transferred to the Health Professions Council (HPC). This is currently due to occur by March 2010.

Hearing Aids

Robert Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the timetable is for action on the regulation of hearing aid dispensers; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: We are working towards the required legislation to enable the transfer of the Hearing Aid Council's register of dispensers to the Health Professions Council by March 2010.

Hepatitis

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Eddisbury of 6 October 2008,  Official Report, columns 424-25W, on hepatitis, how many drugs were dispensed for the treatment of hepatitis B in each year since 1997  (a) for England in total,  (b) in each strategic health authority area and  (c) broken down by type of drug.

Dawn Primarolo: The following three tables show the number of prescription items dispensed in the community for the treatment of hepatitis B. The information is provided according to the individual British National Formulary (BNF) categories hepatitis B drugs fall within. Figures are split by strategic health authority (SHA) and presented in thousands. The data do not cover drugs dispensed in hospitals, including mental health trusts, or private prescriptions.
	Due to the disclosive nature of the data, it was not possible to present the data by type of drug. As such, data were aggregated to BNF category to maintain some measure of difference between drug type. The SHA totals may not match the England total due to rounding.
	
		
			  BNF paragraph 8.2.4Other immunomodulating drugs 
			  Thousand 
			   Number of prescription items used in the treatment of hepatitis B from BNF section 8.2.4, which were dispensed in the community in England from July 2003 to June 2008( 1) 
			  SHA( 2,3)  2003  Jul-Dec  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 Jan-S ep 
			 East Midlands 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 (4) 
			 East of England 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 
			 London 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 
			 North East (4) (4) (4) (4) (4) (4) 
			 North West 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 
			 South Central 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 
			 South East Coast 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 
			 South West 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 
			 West Midlands 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber (4) 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 
			
			 England 1.0 1.7 1.7 1.3 1.3 0.9 
			 (1) Information at SHA level is only available for the past 60 months. (2) The data have been structured in line with current SHA arrangements. The structure changed during 2006 where the number of SHAs reduced. (3) The tables show drugs which may be used to treat hepatitis B, by SHA. (4) Indicates 50 or fewer items were dispensed during the period.  Source: The Prescription Pricing Division of the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA (PPD)) 
		
	
	
		
			  BNF paragraph 5.3.3Viral hepatitis 
			   Thousand 
			   Number of prescription items used in the treatment of hepatitis B from BNF section 5.3.3, which were dispensed in the community in England from July 2003 to June 2008( 1) 
			  SHA( 2,3)  2003 Jul-Dec  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 Jan-Sep 
			 East Midlands (4) (4) (4) (4) 0.1 0.1 
			 East of England (4) (4) 0.1 (4) 0.1 0.2 
			 London 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.5 0.6 0.5 
			 North East (4) (4) (4) (4) (4) (4) 
			 North West (4) (4) (4) (4) 0.1 0.1 
			 South Central (4) (4) (4) (4) 0.1 0.1 
			 South East Coast (4) (4) 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 
			 South West (4) (4) (4) 0.1 0.1 0.1 
			 West Midlands (4) (4) (4) (4) 0.1 0.1 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber (4) (4) (4) (4) 0.1 0.2 
			
			 England 0.1 0.3 0.5 0.9 1.5 1.4 
			 (1) Information at SHA level is only available for the past 60 months. (2) The data have been structured in line with current SHA arrangements. The structure changed during 2006 where the number of SHAs reduced. (3) The tables show drugs which may be used to treat hepatitis B, by SHA. (4) Indicates 50 or fewer items were dispensed during the period.  Source The Prescription Pricing Division of the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA (PPD)) 
		
	
	
		
			  BNF paragraph 5.3.1HIV infection 
			  Thousand 
			   Number of prescription items used in the treatment of hepatitis B from BNF section 5.3.1, which were dispensed in the community in England from July 2003 to June 2008( 1) 
			  SHA( 2,3)  2003 Jul-Dec  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 Jan-Sep 
			 East Midlands 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.3 
			 East of England 0.2 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.8 0.7 
			 London 0.7 1.7 1.9 2.4 3 2.3 
			 North East 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.1 
			 North West 0.3 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.6 
			 South Central 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 
			 South East Coast 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 
			 South West 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.3 
			 West Midlands 0.3 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.6 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.4 
			
			 England 2.0 4.5 5.1 6.4 7.4 6.0 
			 (1) Information at SHA level is only available for the past 60 months. (2) The data have been structured in line with current SHA arrangements. The structure changed during 2006 where the number of SHAs reduced. (3) The tables show drugs which may be used to treat hepatitis B, by SHA.  Source: The Prescription Pricing Division of the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA (PPD))

Hepatitis

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Eddisbury of 6 October 2008,  Official Report, column 422W, on hepatitis, how many notifications of hepatitis B have been made to the Health Protection Agency and its predecessor bodies in each year since 1997  (a) for England in total and  (b) in each strategic health authority area; and what estimate he has made of the overall prevalence of hepatitis B in each strategic health authority area.

Dawn Primarolo: Data for notifications of hepatitis B by current and previous strategic health authorities (SHAs) are shown in the following table.
	The Health Protection Agency Centre for Infections is not able to produce estimates of the prevalence of hepatitis B at SHA level.
	
		
			  Statutory notifications of hepatitis B in England by strategic health authority: 1997 to 2007 
			  Strategic health authority  1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			  Current  Previous
			 East Midlands Leicestershire, Northants., Rutland 21 22 33 33 17 28 24 28 36 77 65 
			  Trent 8 25 20 35 26 35 28 16 32 26 28 
			  
			 East of England Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire 15 13 24 38 48 66 51 59 59 14 8 
			  Essex 6 4 3 7 8 6 3   3 3 
			  Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire 4 8 19 17 3 5 9 12 17 8 7 
			  
			 London North Central London 30 55 37 39 30 27 44 27 16 24 28 
			  North East London 30 30 57 50 43 36 18 23 10 20 11 
			  North West London 10 13 14 27 19 13 21 11 8 11 8 
			  South East London 87 87 101 92 149 162 157 174 209 171 111 
			  South West London 12 16 13 11 9 14 5 8 6 7 8 
			  
			 North East County Durham and Tees Valley 7 6 11 30 55 37 23 13 23 53 13 
			  Northumberland, Tyne and Wear 24 20 14 16 15 31 80 70 91 30 20 
			  
			 North West Cheshire and Merseyside 70 45 23 50 29 32 46 22 24 36 33 
			  Cumbria and Lancashire 26 31 33 55 46 45 48 43 27 30 31 
			  Greater Manchester 72 85 60 76 75 52 74 56 52 32 30 
			  
			 South Central Hampshire and Isle of Wight 5 14 6 2 6 14 32 52 58 64 78 
			  Thames Valley 18 21 30 32 28 34 17 13 35 30 138 
			  
			 South East Coast Kent and Medway 6 23 16 27 37 20 25 23 28 10 18 
			  Surrey and Sussex 48 37 34 51 40 27 14 24 34 26 39 
			  
			 South West Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire 4 2 12 10 20 80 60 50 55 69 86 
			  Dorset and Somerset 20 45 22 51 57 42 43 72 71 45 52 
			  South West Peninsula 2 14 17 16 14 5 5 7 10 8 3 
			  
			 West Midlands Birmingham and the Black Country 18 21 25 21 14 35 33 100 109 56 45 
			  Coventry, Warwicks., Herefords., Worcs. 9 8 5 7 5 14 22 12 10 10 32 
			  Shropshire and Staffordshire 1 8 14 10 19 21 25 25 39 46 32 
			  
			 Yorkshire and Humberside North and East Yorkshire , N Lincolnshire 53 100 116 77 68 55 85 64 63 58 81 
			  South Yorkshire 15 5 13 16 28 29 38 60 36 26 47 
			  West Yorkshire 49 54 45 89 62 48 67 70 81 71 68 
			  
			 Port Health Authority   11  
			  
			 Total  670 813 817 985 970 1,014 1,097 1,134 1,239 1,061 1,123 
			  Notes: 1. Hepatitis B is notifiable under the Public Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations 1988. 2. Strategic health authorities have been merged, and the number reduced from 28 to 10. 3. Cells are left empty if no cases have been reported. 4. These data have already been published.  Source: Health Protection Agency

HIV Infection

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what proportion of those diagnosed with HIV and AIDS have received treatment in  (a) England,  (b) the North East,  (c) Tees Valley district and  (d) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency in each of the last five years.

Dawn Primarolo: The following tables contain data for diagnosed HIV-infected individuals who attend for HIV-related care at national health service sites. Not all HIV-infected individuals are recommended to start antiretroviral therapy (ART) immediately; British HIV Association (BHIVA) guidelines for this period recommended that individuals with CD4 cell counts of 200 cells per mm(3) or less should be on therapythis threshold has been used in the following tables to calculate the number of individuals who were recommended to be on ART.
	
		
			  Number of HIV infected individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) and as a proportion of all HIV-infected individuals or as a proportion of those recommended therapy by region of residence and year, 2003 to 2007. 
			  2003 
			  Region  (a) Total number of HIV diagnosed individuals  (b) Number recommended ART( 1)  (c) Number receiving ART  (c)/(a) Percentage on ART of total HIV diagnosed  (c)/(b) Percentage on ART of those recommended ART 
			 England 33,724 22,931 21,948 65 96 
			 North East 534 307 304 57 99 
			 Tees Valley(2) 127 71 69 54 97 
			 Middlesbrough PCT(3) 48 26 24 50 92 
			 Redcar and Cleveland PCT(3) 14 7 7 50 100 
		
	
	
		
			  2004 
			  Region  (a) Total number of HIV diagnosed individuals  (b) Number recommended ART( 1)  (c) Number receiving ART  (c)/(a) Percentage on ART of total HIV diagnosed  (c)/(b) Percentage on ART of those recommended ART 
			 England 38,277 26,115 25,093 66 96 
			 North East 641 391 359 56 92 
			 Tees Valley(2) 150 94 83 55 88 
			 Middlesbrough PCT(3) 54 33 30 56 91 
			 Redcar and Cleveland PCT(3) 16 11 11 69 100 
		
	
	
		
			  2005 
			  Region  (a) Total number of HIV diagnosed individuals  (b) Number recommended ART( 1)  (c) Number receiving ART  (c)/(a) Percentage on ART of total HIV diagnosed  (c)/(b) Percentage on ART of those recommended ART 
			 England 43,353 29,747 28,670 66 96 
			 North East 754 441 410 54 93 
			 Tees Valley(2) 187 107 98 52 92 
			 Middlesbrough PCT(3) 69 45 43 62 96 
			 Redcar and Cleveland PCT(3) 19 6 6 32 100 
		
	
	
		
			  2006 
			  Region  (a) Total number of HIV diagnosed individuals  (b) Number recommended ART( 1)  (c) Number receiving ART  (c)/(a) Percentage on ART of total HIV diagnosed  (c)/(b) Percentage on ART of those recommended ART 
			 England 48,062 32,375 31,407 65 97 
			 North East 868 564 551 63 98 
			 Tees Valley(2) 218 136 135 62 99 
			 Middlesbrough PCT(3) 86 55 54 63 98 
			 Redcar and Cleveland PCT(3) 22 15 15 68 100 
		
	
	
		
			  2007 
			  Region  (a) Total number of HIV diagnosed individuals  (b) Number recommended ART( 1)  (c) Number receiving ART  (c)/(a) Percentage on ART of total HIV diagnosed  (c)/(b) Percentage on ART of those recommended ART 
			 England 52,137 37,375 36,527 70 98 
			 North East 1,012 669 643 64 96 
			 Tees Valley(2) 276 173 170 62 98 
			 Middlesbrough PCT(3) 107 69 69 64 100 
			 Redcar and Cleveland PCT(3) 28 16 16 57 100 
			 (1 )Includes all individuals currently on antiretroviral therapy (ART) plus individuals with a CD4 count of 200 cells per mm(3) or less. Almost all individuals have CD4 cell count reported. (2 )Tees Valley data are produced by combining data for Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, Stockton-on-Tees local authorities. (3 )HPA does not have data by constituency. Middlesbrough PCT covers the same geographical area as Middlesbrough local authority and Redcar and Cleveland PCT covers the same geographical area as Redcar  Cleveland local authority.  Source:  Health Protection Agency's Annual Survey of Prevalent HIV Infections Diagnosed (SOPHID), Institute of Child Health National Study of HIV in Pregnancy and Childhood.

HIV Infection: Grants

David Borrow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding the Government is providing to each local authority in AIDS support grant in 2008-09.

Dawn Primarolo: The 2008-09 AIDS support grant allocations to each local authority in England have been placed in the Library.

Hospices

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what support his Department plans to give to hospices in the next two years.

Phil Hope: For children's services, the Department in May 2006 committed central grant funding of 27 million over three years for children's hospice services. In 2008, this was increased by a further 20 million to continue the support for children's hospices over the comprehensive spending review periodamounting to a funding package of 47 million over the five years 2006-07 to 2010-11.
	For adult services, we are making 286 million of revenue and capital funding available in the two years to 2011 to support the implementation of the End of Life Care Strategy. Most of this will be allocated to primary care trusts. The funding includes a 40 million capital grant for adult hospices in 2010-11.

Hospices

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much  (a) children's hospices and  (b) all hospices have received from the Government in each of the last five years.

Phil Hope: This information is not held centrally. It is for individual primary care trusts (PCTs) to decide the level of funding they allocate to end of life care services, including hospices, based on assessments of local needs and priorities. The level of funding a hospice receives is a matter for negotiation between the local PCT and the hospice.
	However, the Department has made available an additional 27 million over three years to be given to hospices as grants. 36 grants were awarded in 2006, 40 more in 2007 and a further 40 in 2008.
	In September 2006, the Government established a 40 million capital fund, which adult hospices were able to bid for to improve their physical environments. 146 hospices, with 191 projects, were allocated funding from the fund.

Influenza

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answer of 14 July 2008,  Official Report, columns 203-4W, on influenza, 
	(1)  whether the antiviral stockpile referred to in the answer has now been procured; over what period he intends the antiviral stockpile to be built; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the tender for the procurement;
	(2)  what further consideration his Department has given to a policy of using antivirals for  (a) household and  (b) other prophylaxis;
	(3)  which antibiotics will be needed to treat the bacterial complications of pandemic influenza; when he intends to begin to stockpile those antibiotics; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Suppliers have responded to the Invitation To Tender for antiviral medicines to increase the stockpile which was published in the  Official Journal in August 2008, and these have now been evaluated. Orders have not yet been placed. For reasons of commercial confidentiality, it is not yet possible to make any announcements on the speed of the stockpile build. I will arrange for a copy of the tender documents to be placed in the Library when public procurement procedures allow.
	There is ongoing discussion at scientific and policy level of antiviral household prophylaxis. For example, the Department has completed modelling which indicates that this is an effective strategy. We have also sought scientific advice on the issue from the Scientific Advisory Group on Pandemic Influenza (SPI), our external scientific advisory committee. This has concentrated on issues such as the size of the stockpile needed and the strategic approach to prophylaxis when the stockpile contains more than one type of antiviral. We are currently considering the delivery implications of a policy based on household prophylaxis, and the procurement approach to be followed. We are not currently considering other forms of prophylaxis.
	Experts from the British Thoracic Society, British Infection Society and Health Protection Agency developed Clinical Management Guidelines for patients with pandemic influenza. These include proposals for antibiotics to be used for the treatment of bacterial complications. The guideline suggests antibiotics active against  Heamophilus influenzae,  Streptococcus pneumoniae and  Staphylococcus aureus the bacteria, which most commonly cause respiratory infections. These include penicillin based products such as co-amoxiclav or a tetracycline such as doxycycline. For those allergic to penicillin, a macrolide such as erythromycin or clarithromycin is recommended. Complications requiring antibiotic therapy would be treated with a cephalosporin such as cefuroxime, which are administered with IV fluids.
	Suppliers of antibiotics have responded to the Invitation To Tender published in the  Official Journal in August 2008. These bids are currently being evaluated.

Influenza

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many courses of zanamivir have been stockpiled to protect pregnant women in the event of an influenza pandemic;
	(2)  what proportion of the antiviral stockpile for use in the event of an influenza pandemic is for use by  (a) adults and  (b) children;
	(3)  what the mass in milligrammes of oseltamivir stockpiled for use in the event of an influenza pandemic is; what the assumed dose in milligrammes of an individual course of treatment for  (a) an adult and  (b) children is; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  how many doses of A/H5N1 vaccine are held by his Department; what proportion of the stockpile is reserved for the  (a) armed forces,  (b) healthcare workers and  (c) other groups; and if he will make a statement;
	(5)  with reference to the answer of 13 December 2007,  Official Report, columns 873-4W, on influenza disease control, when his Department's stockpile of Tamiflu will pass its shelf-life.

Dawn Primarolo: At the time of purchasing the current stockpile of antivirals, adult dosages were applied from age seven upwards. The relative proportions are 7.6 per cent., and 92.4 per cent., for children under seven and adults respectively.
	The total mass of the current stockpile of Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) for the UK is 11 billion mg. The dosages per treatment course are 750 mg and 200-600 mg for adults and children respectively.
	The bulk of the current stockpile of Tamiflu is due to reach the end of its shelf life in financial year 2010-11, the remainder is due to expire in financial years 2011-12 and 2012-13.
	Approximately 275,000 courses of zanamivir have been stockpiled to protect pregnant women in the UK.
	The UK holds 3.3 million doses of H5N1. The relative proportions are 2.9 per cent., 86.2 per cent., and 10.9 per cent., for the armed forces, health care workers and other groups respectively.

Influenza

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what modelling work on the effects of an influenza pandemic has been undertaken by his Department in the last 12 months.

Dawn Primarolo: The Department continues to work in collaboration with a number of modelling and analytical groups both nationally and internationally to take forward both operational and epidemiological modelling work to assist preparedness for a possible pandemic. The main topics considered over the past 12 months have been the appropriate use of clinical countermeasures, the potential effectiveness of social distancing measures and the arrangements for real time modelling during the pandemic.
	Where the consideration of these issues has led to a modification of the advice to policy makers the new advice has been recorded in the SPI-M modelling summary at:
	http://www.advisorybodies.doh.gov.uk/spi/modelling.htm

Influenza

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health who the members of the independent committee which developed an ethical framework to inform the response to an influenza pandemic are, as referred to on page 14 of his Department's National Framework for responding to an influenza pandemic.

Dawn Primarolo: The membership of the Committee on Ethical Aspects of Pandemic Influenza (CEAPI) is as follows:
	Chair: Very Reverend Graham Forbes, Provost of St. Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh
	Mrs. Julie Acred, Chief Executive, Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
	Mr. Chris Chaloner, Ethics Adviser, Royal College of Nursing
	Mr. John Colvin, Consultant and Honorary Senior Lecturer in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee
	Mr. Jane Cowan, Medicolegal Adviser, MPS Risk Consulting
	Mr. Jean Jacques de Gorter, Director of Clinical Services, BUPA Hospitals Ltd.
	Professor Robert Dingwall, Director of the Institute for the Study of Genetics, Biorisks and Society, University of Nottingham
	Mr. Eugene Gallagher, Head of Primary Care and Family Practitioner Services in the Western Health and Social Services Board, Belfast
	Professor Trisha Greenhalgh, Professor of Primary Health Care at University College London
	Professor John Harris, Professor of Bioethics, School of Law, University of Manchester
	Dr. Victor Larcher, Consultant in General Paediatrics and Clinical Ethics, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London
	Professor Jonathan Montgomery, Professor of Health Care Law, University of Southampton; Chair, Hampshire Primary Care Trust
	Professor Vivienne Nathanson, Director of Professional Activities, British Medical Association
	Ms Jane O'Brien, Head of Standards and Ethics, General Medical Council
	Professor Michael Parker, Professor of Bioethics and Director of the Ethox Centre at the University of Oxford
	Dr. Clive Richards, Consultant in public health medicine, Nottinghamshire
	Mr. Hugh Robertson, Senior Policy Officer with responsibility for Prevention, Rehabilitation and Compensation, Trades Union Congress
	Mrs. Shahwar Sadeque, Educational and ICT Consultant and Chief Executive of TriEs Ltd.
	Professor John Saunders, Consultant Physician, Nevill Hall Hospital, Abergavenny; Chairman of the Committee for ethical issues in medicine, Royal College of Physicians
	Mr. Roy Taylor, Director of Community Services, Kingston upon Thames
	Mr. Geoff Watts, freelance journalist
	Professor Richard Williams, Professor of Mental Health Strategy, University of Glamorgan; Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust
	Dr. Patricia Wilkie, Chair, Academy of Medical Royal Colleges patient/lay committee.
	Representatives of the devolved Administrations attend as observers.

Influenza

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he next intends to issue an updated national framework for responding to an influenza pandemic.

Dawn Primarolo: The national framework is due to be updated during 2009-10.

Influenza

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria will be used to assess whether an individual should be admitted to  (a) secondary and  (b) critical care in the event of an influenza pandemic.

Dawn Primarolo: Our guidance document entitled Pandemic influenza: surge capacity and prioritisation in health services - provisional guidance, which has been issued to primary care trusts and other stakeholders for consultation and is due to be published in the new year, included an assessment tool for admitting individuals to secondary or critical care. We also plan to further refine assessment criteria, in consultation with key stakeholders, over the course of the year.

Influenza

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what work has been undertaken by the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Behaviour and Communication sub-group since it was established; on what dates it has met since it was established; and if he will place in the Library copies of  (a) papers considered by the sub-group and  (b) minutes of all its meetings.

Dawn Primarolo: The Scientific Pandemic Influenza Advisory Committee's Behaviour and Communication sub-group has met twice since its establishment in June 2008. These meetings were held on 19 August 2008 and 1 October 2008.
	At these meetings, the group identified behavioural science-related research gaps relevant to pandemic influenza preparedness. The group has also assessed the feasibility of undertaking research to address any gaps.
	The documents the sub-group considered were excerpts relevant to behavioural science from documents SPI/01/09a and SPI/01/09b, which were presented at the main SPI meeting in April 2008 and available on the SPI website. A copy of these papers has been placed in the Library.
	The conclusions of the Behaviour and Communication sub-group meetings were recorded in the submission to the main SPI on the pandemic influenza research gap analysis discussed on 11 November 2008. A copy of this paper has been placed in the Library. It is also available to download on the Department's Scientific Pandemic Influenza Advisory Committee (SPI) website at:
	http://www.advisorybodies.doh.gov.uk/spi/index.htm

Influenza

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answer of 9 January 2008,  Official Report, column 597W, on influenza, what consideration has been given to the merits of stockpiling  (a) aprons and  (b) gloves in case of an influenza pandemic.

Dawn Primarolo: My previous answer highlighted the importance of gloves and aprons in supporting good hygiene practices in an influenza pandemic. The quantities and type of gloves and aprons, based on the number and type of patient interactions, are currently being investigated. The large numbers required and the need to ensure availability at point of use strongly favours the creation of a pandemic stockpile (without impacting on the Business As Usual requirement for these products). We are currently considering the most appropriate commercial options for building this stockpile.

Influenza: Vaccination

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations his Department has received from  (a) members of the public and  (b) health care professionals on the supply of seasonal influenza vaccines for the 2008-09 winter.

Dawn Primarolo: The Department has received several inquiries from members of the public mainly relating to specific general practitioner (GP) surgeries and their influenza vaccine supplies.
	GP surgeries order influenza vaccines directly from the suppliers. As such, GP surgeries contact individual manufacturers if they experience supply problems.
	The Department holds regular discussions with the UK Vaccine Industry Group (UVIG) to ensure adequate vaccine supply for the influenza programme. The UVIG has confirmed that there is sufficient vaccine to meet all orders placed with the suppliers.

Influenza: Vaccination

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure an adequate supply of seasonal influenza vaccines for the winter 2008-09 seasonal influenza immunisation programme; what discussions he has had with vaccine manufacturers on their capacity to supply adequate stocks of vaccine; which manufacturers are supplying vaccine to the UK; what information he has received about vaccine manufacturers encountering difficulties in  (a) manufacturing and  (b) delivering vaccines; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The Department holds regular discussions with the UK Vaccine Industry Group (UVIG) to ensure adequate vaccine supply for the influenza programme. The UVIG has confirmed that there is sufficient vaccine to meet all orders placed with the suppliers.
	UVIG have also confirmed that there have been no difficulties in manufacturing and delivering vaccines.
	The manufacturers which have supplied vaccine during this season are GSK, MASTA, Novartis Vaccines, Sanofi Pasteur MSD, Solvay Healthcare and Wyeth Vaccines.

Influenza: Vaccination

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what ways his Department is communicating to health care workers the importance of seasonal influenza immunisation, as stated in the minutes of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation's meeting of 13 February 2008.

Dawn Primarolo: As stated in the chief medical officer letter of 31 March 2008, responsibility for immunisation for occupational staff rests with employers and should be provided by occupational health services. A copy of this letter has been placed in the Library.
	The Department has recently published a new leaflet, fact sheet and poster encouraging health care professionals to get vaccinated against the flu.
	Also in June 2008, the Department held a national flu immunisation conference for primary care trust flu leads. This conference focused on flu vaccinations for health care workers and the issues around improving uptake.

Injuries: Offensive Weapons

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he was informed by the NHS information centre that data relating to patients attending hospital with knife wounds, provided to 10 Downing street, had been or was due to have been published.

Ben Bradshaw: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State was aware on the day of publication, 11 December.

Lyme Disease

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans to make Lyme disease a notifiable disease.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 11 December 2008,  Official Report, column 234W.

Medical Records

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much each health care trust spent on sending patient medical records by taxi in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: This information is not held centrally, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mental Health Services

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the proposed NHS Constitution will guarantee mental health service users a choice of hospital.

Ann Keen: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for North Norfolk (Norman Lamb) on 11 December 2008,  Official Report, column 234W.

Mental Health Services: Ex-servicemen

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health where the NHS-led community mental health pilots for ex-servicemen are located; and when he expects each pilot to report.

Phil Hope: The community mental health pilot schemes for ex-service personnel are located in Stafford, Camden, Cardiff, Bishop Auckland, Lothian and St Austell. The pilots, which began in November 2007, will be independently evaluated over a period of two years.

Mental Health Services: Finance

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding has been made available to primary care trusts to assist them in fulfilling their statutory obligation to commission independent mental health advocates for people who have been detained under the Mental Health Act; and how that funding has been calculated.

Phil Hope: Primary care trusts' (PCTs) new statutory duty to commission independent mental health advocate services has been reflected in PCT baseline allocations for 2009-10 and 2010-11. PCT allocations reflect the outcome of the comprehensive spending review, which takes account of a range of baseline and policy pressures, including the Mental Health Act. It will be a matter for local determination how PCTs meet their statutory duty, using their available resources.

Mitochondrial Damage

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent research his Department has conducted or evaluated on the relationship between mitochondrial damage and  (a) the use of certain medications such as anti-inflammatories, anaesthetics, angina medications, antibiotics, anti-depressants, statins, mood-stabiliser lithium and  (b) chemotherapy.

Dawn Primarolo: None.
	The Medical Research Council (MRC) is one of the main agencies through which the Government supports medical and clinical research. The MRC is an independent body that receives its grant-in-aid from the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.
	The MRC is not currently funding research directly relating to the relationship between mitochondrial damage and the use of these medications or chemotherapy. However, the MRC does support a portfolio of more basic research on the effects of mitochondrial damage including support for the MRC Mitochondrial Dysfunction Group at the MRC Dunn Human Nutrition Unit in Cambridge. Information about the group's research can be found at:
	www.mrc-dunn.cam.ac.uk/research/mitochondrial _dysfunction/
	In addition, the Department's National Institute for Health Research and the MRC have recently agreed funding for the MRC Centre for Translational Research in Neuromuscular Disease Mitochondrial Disease Patient Cohort (UK) led by Professor Douglass Turnbull at Newcastle university. The development of this cohort will facilitate large-scale interventional trials of drugs and novel treatments such as sequential resistance-endurance exercise. The cohort will also provide the opportunity to assess various prevention strategies including those for cardiomyopathy, stroke-like episodes, migraine and epilepsy.

National Capabilities Survey

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answer of 9 January 2008,  Official Report, column 596W, on influenza, to which private sector organisations the National Capabilities Survey is sent.

Dawn Primarolo: The National Capabilities Survey is sent to Category 1 and 2 organisations (as defined by the Civil Contingencies Act), Government Departments and several independent health care providers in England and Wales. From the Independent Healthcare Sector, 35 organisations were asked to respond to the survey.

National Institute for Health Research Senior Investigators

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the first cohort of National Institute for Health Research Senior Investigators has been appointed.

Dawn Primarolo: National Institute for Health Research senior investigators are selected in open competition by an international panel of judges. The first cohort of 100 investigators took up post in April this year. A directory is available at:
	www.nihr.ac.uk/faculty_senior_investigators_directory.aspx.
	Their appointments are for three to five years.

National Strategy for Dementia Care

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when his Department plans to publish the National Strategy for Dementia Care.

Phil Hope: We will publish the National Dementia Strategy early in 2009, which will be a major landmark in improving services for people with dementia and their carers.

NHS Direct: Contracts

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the names are of all suppliers with which the NHS Direct NHS Trust holds contracts.

Ben Bradshaw: This information is contained in the list of NHS Direct suppliers which has been placed in the Library.
	NHS Direct has contracts with those suppliers listed providing various goods and services and these include the following:
	contracts under Framework Agreements set up by:
	1. the Purchasing and Supplies Agency (PASA);
	2. the Office of Government Commerce (OGC);
	3. the Central Office of Information (COI);
	contracts awarded following OJEU notices advertised where over the EU thresholds;
	contracts awarded following competitive tender where under EU thresholds; and
	ad-hoc orders placed in line with the Trusts Standing Orders Reservation and Delegation.

NHS Foundation Trusts

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of NHS  (a) acute and  (b) mental health trusts have become NHS foundation trusts.

Ben Bradshaw: There are 225 acute and mental health trusts that are eligible to become NHS foundation trusts. The following table gives the information requested.
	
		
			   NHS foundation trusts  NHS trusts  Total  Percentage of NHS foundation trusts 
			 Acute 82 87 169 48.5 
			 Mental health 31 25 56 55.4 
			 Total 113 112 225 50.2

NHS Foundation Trusts: Governing Bodies

Doug Henderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department plans to extend membership of NHS foundation hospital trusts' boards to members of the public; and whether a timescale has been produced for this policy.

Ben Bradshaw: The constitution of both the board of governors and board of directors of a NHS Foundation Trust is set out in National Health Service Act 2006 schedule 7 sub 7, and sub 15 respectively.
	Requirements for the board of governors include that more than half must be elected by the members, and at least three members must be elected by the staff constituency. One member must be appointed by a primary care trust for which the FT provides services, and at least one member of the board must be appointed by a local authority. If any of the FT's hospitals includes a medical or dental scheme provided by a university, at least one of the board of governors must be appointed by that university. An organisation specified in the constitution as a partnership organisation may appoint a member of the board of governors also.
	There are no plans to extend the membership of boards and therefore no timescale.

NHS Trusts: Billing

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which health trusts have not met the 10 day invoice payment target to small and medium-sized enterprises.

Ben Bradshaw: We do not currently collect such performance data because no specific requirement has yet been placed on national health service bodies to meet a 10 day target.
	However, David Nicholson, NHS Chief Executive, wrote to all NHS Trust Chief Executives on 21 October 2008 asking them to examine and review existing payment practices and payment performance and to move as closely as possible to the 10-day payment commitment that has been set for Government Departments wherever practical. Bill Moyes, Executive Chair, Monitor, has written similarly to all Foundation Trusts.
	NHS prompt payment performance against the 30 day payment target is reported in annual accounts. The 2007-08 accounts for NHS Trusts recorded an 83 per cent. achievement against the 30 day payment target for non-NHS payments.

NHS Trusts: Finance

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which trusts' financial balances are most at risk from being reported under international financial reporting standards; and what the balance in question is in each case.

Ben Bradshaw: National health service organisations will be required to prepare their statutory accounts in accordance with international financial reporting standards (IFRS) for the first time for the 2009-10 financial year.
	The 2009-10 operating framework requires NHS organisations to submit their final IFRS compliant financial plans for 2009-10 in March 2009. As such the detailed financial impact of moving to IFRS is not currently available.

NHS Trusts: Leasehold

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS trusts have  (a) leases and  (b) private finance initiative undertakings; and what the value of such leases and initiatives are in each case.

Ben Bradshaw: The information in respect of the private finance initiative (PFI) schemes has been placed in the Library. This shows the capital value of each PFI scheme which has reached financial close as well as all the annual and total payments from revenue sources to the private sector under the life of the contract.
	Information on operating and finance leases for both national health service trusts and primary care trusts has also been placed in the Library with appropriate explanatory notes. These are recorded separately by NHS bodies as they have different accounting effects. Under current standard United Kingdom accounting practice, the entity assessed to enjoy the risks and rewards of ownership, irrespective of legal title, will recognise the leased asset in its balance sheet. Where an NHS body is the lessee in a finance lease, the asset will appear in that body's balance sheet; as a lessee in an operating lease no asset is recorded (i.e. it is off balance sheet).

NHS: Accountancy

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effect of the use of international financial reporting standards on the budgets of  (a) the NHS and  (b) foundation trusts.

Ben Bradshaw: National health service organisations will be required to prepare their statutory accounts in accordance with international financial reporting standards (IFRS) for the first time for the 2009-10 financial year.
	The 2009-10 operating framework requires NHS organisations to submit their final IFRS compliant financial plans for 2009-10 in March 2009. As such, the detailed financial impact of moving to IFRS is not currently available.
	2008-09 NHS accounts will continue to be prepared and published under current accounting guidance.
	Accounting information in respect of NHS foundation trusts is not collected by the Department, but is available from the independent regulator, Monitor.

NHS: Accountancy

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the projected surplus or deficit for NHS trusts  (a) against current accounting standards and  (b) against international financial reporting standards in (i) 2008-09 and (ii) 2009-10.

Ben Bradshaw: National health service organisations will be required to prepare their statutory accounts in accordance with international financial reporting standards (IFRS) for the first time for the 2009-10 financial year.
	2008-09 NHS accounts will be prepared under current accounting guidance. At the end of quarter 2 of 2008-09, the NHS (excluding foundation trusts) is forecasting an overall surplus of 1.73 billion.
	The 2009-10 operating framework requires NHS organisations to submit their final IFRS compliant financial plans for 2009-10 in March 2009. As such projected outturns are not currently available.

NHS: Data Protection

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he has taken, or intends to take, to ensure that incomplete or invalidated data returns from NHS bodies shared across Government for internal purposes are not used publicly.

Ben Bradshaw: The Government attach the highest importance to Departments maintaining the integrity of official statistics and to upholding the rules relating to their publication.
	The Cabinet Secretary is working with the Permanent Secretaries of the Departments concerned, including my own, to understand what happened in the case of last month's release of statistics on knife crime. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.

NHS: Finance

Desmond Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether local NHS trusts will be allowed to retain any surpluses made this financial year to spend on local health services in future years.

Ben Bradshaw: Any surplus made by a national health service trust in the 2008-09 financial year is retained within their accounts as part of their cumulative income and expenditure reserve.
	The surpluses generated and held locally, are giving NHS organisations much more flexibility to be even more responsive to patient needs, giving clinicians and managers the necessary headroom to better plan for new services and to manage risk.

NHS: Finance

Desmond Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much local NHS trusts spent on training in each of the last five years for which records are available.

Ann Keen: Information about local NHS trusts spend on training is not collected centrally.

NHS: Finance

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what spending on the NHS in England has been in  (a) real terms and  (b) nominal terms in each year since 1990; and what estimate he has made of expenditure on the NHS in (i) real terms and (ii) nominal terms in England in each year until 2010-11.

Ben Bradshaw: The requested information is given in the following table.
	
		
			  Total net NHS expenditure in (a) real and (b) nominal terms 1990-91 to 2010-11 
			   billion 
			(a) Net NHS expenditure (real in 2007-08 prices)( 1)  (b) Net NHS expenditure (nominal)( 2) 
			  Cash( 3)
			 1990-91 Outturn 35.382 22.326 
			 1991-92 Outturn 37.933 25.353 
			 1992-93 Outturn 40.593 27.968 
			 1993-94 Outturn 40.888 28.942 
			 1994-95 Outturn 42.550 30.590 
			 1995-96 Outturn 43.239 31.985 
			 1996-97 Outturn 43.016 32.997 
			 1997-98 Outturn 44.034 34.664 
			 1998-99 Outturn 45.535 36.608 
			 1999-2000 Outturn 48.649 39.881 
			 
			  Resource budgeting stage( 4)
			 1999-2000 Outturn 49.039 40.201 
			 2000-01 Outturn 52.897 43.932 
			 2001-02 Outturn 57.737 49.021 
			 2002-03 Outturn 61.663 54.042 
			 
			  Resource budgeting stage 2( 5, 6)
			 2003-04 Outturn 71.194 64.173 
			 2004-05 Outturn 74.578 69.051 
			 2005-06 Outturn 80.248 75.822 
			 2006-07 Outturn estimated 83.027 80.561 
			 2007-08 Outturn 89.217 89.217 
			 2008-09 Plan 93.185 96.213 
			 2009-10 Plan(7) 98.037 102.742 
			 2010-11 Plan(7) 100.466 108.183 
			 (1) GDP deflator 30 September 2008. (2 )Figures are not consistent over the period (1971-72 to 2010-11), therefore it is difficult to make comparisons across different periods. (3 )Expenditure pre 1999-2000 is on a cash basis. (4 )Expenditure figures from 1999-2000 to 2002-03 are on a Stage 1 Resource Budgeting basis. (5 )Expenditure figures from 2003-04 to 2010-11 are on a Stage 2 Resource Budgeting basis. (6 )Figures from 2003-04 include a technical adjustment for trust depreciation. (7) Capital expenditure has been modified in 2009-10 and 2010-11 to reflect the changes announced in the pre-Budget report.  Notes:  1. Expenditure excludes NHS (AME) 2. Total expenditure is calculated as the sum of revenue and capital expenditure net of non-Trust depreciation and impairments. This is in line with HMT Guidance.

NHS: Finance

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS trusts  (a) paid and  (b) did not pay 95 per cent. or more of undisputed invoices within contracts terms or 30 days where no terms had been agreed in (i) 2005-06, (ii) 2006-07 and (iii) 2007-08; and what the monetary value of those invoices was in each case in each year.

Ben Bradshaw: National health service prompt performance against the 30 day target is reported in annual accounts. Year-on-year performance for NHS organisations (excluding foundation trusts but including the relevant part of the year for part-year foundation trusts) has been placed in the Library.
	Overall performance for NHS trusts has improved year-on-year, from 77.5 per cent. in 2005-06, 79.1 per cent. in 2006-07 to 83.3 per cent. in 2007-08.

NHS: Information and Communications Technology

Richard Bacon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what fines have been  (a) levied against and  (b) paid by CSC for late delivery of the Lorenzo system; whether local service providers will be paid for upgrades from interim solutions to Lorenzo; and whether the local service providers will pay hospitals' costs incurred in upgrading from such interim solutions where they have been installed.

Ben Bradshaw: National programme for information technology contracts do not contain provision for fines, but do provide for delay deductions to be paid by the local service provider (LSP) should the LSP fail to achieve certain key milestones. Under these arrangements some 22.7 million has to date been paid by the Computer Sciences Corporation, some of which has been earned back.
	The LSP is paid for all deployments including upgrades from agreed interim solutions to Lorenzo. The deployment of interim solutions allows the trust to gain early benefit from business change that will be required when Lorenzo is implemented.
	The local implementation costs of national programme systems and services, including upgrading from agreed interim systems are paid by the NHS bodies that benefit from them and they receive funding out of normal NHS allocations.

NHS: Information and Communications Technology

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answer of 12 November 2008, on NHS: information and communications technology, if he will place in the Library a copy of each of the breach of contract notices sent to Fujitsu.

Ben Bradshaw: Publication of the breach of contract notices issued to Fujitsu, in the context of ongoing negotiations to reach an agreement with the company, would put that objective at risk and could potentially compromise the Department's position in any possible future litigation. Either outcome would or would be likely to cause prejudice to the commercial interests of the Department.

NHS: Information and Communications Technology

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answer of 12 November 2008, on NHS: information and communications technology, how many contractor event of default notices have been issued; on what dates and to whom such notices have been issued; what the reasons for issue were in each case; and if he will place in the Library a copy of each such notice.

Ben Bradshaw: As part of the normal contractual processes, a number of contractor event of default notices have been issued, reflecting operational matters identified during the normal course of contract delivery that need to be addressed. The majority of the matters identified have been addressed using the existing contractual remedies.
	The information requested is in the table.
	
		
			  Contractor/Date of issue  Reason for Notice 
			  Atos  
			 15 December 2006 Failure to meet performance requirement 
			 10 March 2008 Critical service level failure 
			 10 March 2008 Critical service level failure 
			 20 June 2008 Failure to achieve a key milestone 
			 5 November 2008 Critical service level failure 
			 8 December 2008 Critical service level failure 
			   
			  Accenture  
			 3 March 2008 Critical service level failure 
			 12 March 2008 Critical service level failure 
			 22 April 2008 Critical service level failure 
			   
			  CSC  
			 3 March 2008 Critical service level failure 
			 22 April 2008 Critical service level failure 
			 30 August 2007 Failure to achieve a release key milestone 
			 30 August 2007 Failure to achieve a release key milestone 
			 30 August 2007 Failure to achieve a release key milestone 
			 30 August 2007 Failure to achieve a release key milestone 
			 30 August 2007 Failure to achieve a release key milestone 
			 30 August 2007 Failure to achieve a release key milestone 
			 1 October 2007 Failure to achieve a release key milestone 
			 1 October 2007 Failure to achieve a release key milestone 
			 1 October 2007 Failure to achieve a release key milestone 
			 1 November 2007 Failure to achieve a release key milestone 
			 1 November 2007 Failure to achieve a release key milestone 
			 1 November 2007 Failure to achieve a release key milestone 
			 2 June 2008 Failure to achieve early adopter release key milestone 
			 2 June 2008 Failure to achieve early adopter release key milestone 
			 2 June 2008 Failure to achieve early adopter release key milestone 
			 8 July 2008 Failure to achieve early adopter interim milestone 
			 2 September 2008 Failure to achieve a release key milestone 
			 10 June 2008 Failure to achieve early adopter interim milestone 
			 10 June 2008 Failure to achieve early adopter interim milestone 
			   
			  Fujitsu  
			 20 February 2008 Failure to achieve deployment interim milestone 
			 20 February 2008 Failure to achieve deployment interim milestone 
			 20 February 2008 Failure to achieve deployment interim milestone 
			 20 February 2008 Failure to achieve deployment interim milestone 
			 20 February 2008 Failure to achieve deployment interim milestone 
			 20 February 2008 Failure to achieve deployment interim milestone 
			 20 February 2008 Failure to achieve key milestone 
			 20 February 2008 Critical service level failure 
			 20 February 2008 Failure to control account data 
			 29 February 2008 Failure to achieve deployment milestone 
			 29 February 2008 Failure to achieve deployment milestone 
			 29 February 2008 Failure to achieve deployment milestone 
			 29 February 2008 Failure to achieve deployment milestone 
			 29 February 2008 Failure to achieve deployment milestone 
			 29 February 2008 Critical service level failure 
			 29 February 2008 Critical service level failure 
			 17 April 2008 Failure to achieve deployment milestone 
			 17 April 2008 Failure to make delay deductions payment for missed milestones 
			 17 April 2008 Failure to meet contracted service levels 
			 17 April 2008 Failure to provide risk assessments 
			 17 April 2008 Failure to provide detailed costs and analysis 
			 17 April 2008 Failure to provide project resource data 
			 17 April 2008 Failure to achieve deployment milestones 
			 17 April 2008 Failure to achieve deployment milestones 
			 17 April 2008 Failure to provide contractor event of default information 
			 17 April 2008 Failure to provide documentation on unauthorised access to data 
			 17 April 2008 Failure to implement data set change notice 
			 17 April 2008 Failure to implement data set change notice 
			 17 April 2008 Failure to implement data set change notice 
			 17 April 2008 Failure to implement data set change notice 
			 17 April 2008 Failure to implement data set change notice 
			 17 April 2008 Failure to implement data set change notice 
			 17 April 2008 Failure to implement data set change notice 
			 17 April 2008 Failure to implement data set change notice 
			 17 April 2008 Failure to implement data set change notice 
			 17 April 2008 Failure to implement data set change notice 
			 17 April 2008 Failure to implement data set change notice 
			 17 April 2008 Failure to implement data set change notice 
			 17 April 2008 Failure to implement data set change notice 
			 17 April 2008 Failure to implement data set change notice 
			 17 April 2008 Failure to update exit plan 
			   
			  BT  
			 24 May 2004 Failure to meet N3 milestone 
			 6 October 2004 Failure to achieve installation target 
			 6 October 2004 Failure to meet N3 milestone 
			 18 July 2005 Critical service level failure 
			 26 September 2005 Critical service level failure 
			 26 September 2005 Critical service level failure 
			   
			 July 2007 6 x Critical service level failures 
			 August 2007 15 x Critical service level failures 
			 September 2007 14 x Critical service level failures 
			 October 2007 18 x Critical service level failures 
			 November 2007 10 x Critical service level failures 
			 December 2007 6 x Critical service level failures 
			 January 2008 5 x Critical service level failures 
			 February 2008 3 x Critical service level failures 
			 March 2008 6 x Critical service level failures 
			 April 2008 3 x Critical service level failures 
			 May 2008 2 x Critical service level failures 
			 June 2008 9 x Critical service level failures 
			 July 2008 9 x Critical service level failures 
			 September 2008 21 x Critical service level failures 
		
	
	Publication of contractor event of default notices would or would be likely to cause prejudice to the commercial interests of the providers concerned. It would also potentially compromise the Department's position in any possible future formal contractual disputes, which in turn would or would be likely to cause prejudice to the commercial interests of the Department.

NHS: Information and Communications Technology

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answer of 24 November 2008,  Official Report, column 930W, on NHS: information and communications technology, how many one-off payments have been made.

Ben Bradshaw: The total number of payments relating to deployments made to local service providers (LSPs) since the inception of the contracts is 107. This includes a number of forward payments, a proportion of which have subsequently been depleted in recognition of successful deployments.

NHS: Information and Communications Technology

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answer of 24 November 2008,  Official Report, column 930W, on NHS: information and communications technology, 
	(1)  what payments have been made to aid with suppliers' capital costs under Connecting for Health and the London Programme for IT;
	(2)  what payments have been made in advance to aid with Fujitsu's capital costs; and what mechanism there is for recouping those payments in the case of work not completed.

Ben Bradshaw: The information requested is in the following table.
	
		
			  Contract  Total forward payments  ( million) 
			 London LSP 333.18 
			 South (Fujitsu) 486.05 
		
	
	Forward payments are repayable on demand in the event of non-delivery.

NHS: Standards

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in developing a series of practical human rights tools to improve service planning and delivery in the NHS; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: The Department has a programme of work on human rights that has resulted in the publication of 'Human Rights in HealthcareA framework for local action', launched on 7 October 2008. The framework, a copy of which has been placed in the Library, contains guidance for national health service organisations on promoting human rights in their work, and includes a CD-Rom containing practical tools developed by five NHS trusts who have been piloting human rights based approaches in health care. These tools are also available on the Department of Health website, together with an independent evaluation of this work by Ipsos MORI. A copy of the evaluation has been placed in the Library.

NHS: Waiting Lists

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were on waiting lists for NHS treatment in  (a) England,  (b) the North East,  (c) Tees Valley district and  (d) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency in each year since 1997.

Ben Bradshaw: The information is not available in the format requested. However, the following table shows information on the total commissioner based inpatient waiting list from 1997 to present.
	
		
			   Middlesbrough Primary Care Trust (PCT)  Redcar and Cleveland PCT  Stockton PCT  Hartlepool PCT  Tees Health Authority (HA) area  North East Strategic Health Authority area  England 
			 March 1997 n/a n/a n/a n/a 13,299 56,363 1,158,004 
			 March 1998 n/a n/a n/a n/a 13,180 57,618 1,297,662 
			 March 1999 n/a n/a n/a n/a 10,925 50,900 1,072,860 
			 March 2000 n/a n/a n/a n/a 10,097 48,619 1,037,066 
			 March 2001 n/a n/a n/a n/a 10,459 47,088 1,006,727 
			 March 2002 n/a n/a n/a n/a 10,243 48,612 1,035,365 
			 March 2003 3,364 1,801 2,788 1,678 9,631 46,214 992,075 
			 March 2004 3,261 1,807 2,894 1,461 9,423 41,617 905,753 
			 March 2005 2,760 1,340 2,568 1,159 7,827 35,175 821,722 
			 March 2006 2,150 1,046 2,189 1,248 6,633 34,696 784,572 
			 March 2007 1,488 1,302 2,118 1,241 6,149 32,599 700,585 
			 March 2008 1,021 869 1,512 799 4,201 25,977 531,506 
			 October 2008 940 884 1,433 796 4,053 27,507 565,706 
			  Notes: 1. In-patient waiting times are measured from decision to admit by the consultant to admission to hospital. 2. Figures only available by PCT and HA. 3. Figures for Tees HA from 2003 are the sum of the PCTS in existence at that time. 4. PCT boundary changes in October 2006 affects figures for Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland PCTs.  Source: Department of Health Quarterly Waiting List Collection QF01 and MMRCOM.

Obesity: East Riding

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number and percentage of children under the age of 16 who are clinically obese in the East Riding of Yorkshire PCT area; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The information is not available in the format requested. Prevalence data on obesity by primary care trust (PCT) are only available for children in two school years. The number of children who are obese is not available.
	Information on the proportion of children that are obese in the East Riding of Yorkshire PCT is collected through the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP). The NCMP report provides high-level analysis of the prevalence of obese children, in reception year (aged four to five years) and year six (aged 10 to 11 years), measured in England in the school year 2007-08.
	This information is available in the National Child Measurement Programme 2007/08 school year headline results, which was published on 11 December 2008. The prevalence of obese children at PCT level can be found in annex 1: Detailed tables, Table A (pages 31-32). A copy of this publication has already been placed in the Library.

Offenders

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many former prisoners are employed by his Department; and what his Department's policy is on employing former prisoners.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department does not hold figures on the number of former prisoners it employs.
	It is departmental policy to not automatically exclude an individual from applying for a post if he or she has a previous conviction. In common with other Government Departments the Department applies the Cabinet Office's Baseline Personnel Security Standard. That Standard includes a check on Criminal Record Declaration of 'unspent convictions' by the applicant. The Department's Human Resources division then decide on a case-by-case basis, making a judgment based on that conviction and the post applied for, and considering whether there would be any conflicts of interest in employing that individual.
	The Department would usually not know about any 'spent' convictions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. When a member of staff needs to be security cleared under National Security Vetting procedures, a part of that procedure is a Criminal Record Declaration of all previous convictions. These declarations are checked by the Department's Security Vetting Team against police records who then make a decision whether to grant security clearance.

Organogram

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's administrative organogram.

Ben Bradshaw: The information available has been placed in the Library.

Pacesetters Programme

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many strategic health authorities are taking part in the Pacesetters programme.

Dawn Primarolo: To date, six strategic health authorities (SHAs), and six trusts in each of their areas, are currently participating in the Pacesetters programme. The SHAs are: East Midlands, London, South East Coast, South West, West Midlands, and Yorkshire and the Humber.

Partnership for Patients Programme

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made on the Partnership for Patients Programme; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: National health service primary care trusts are working with local libraries as part of the Partnership for Patients Programme to help support patients in using information to make their choices when they are referred to hospital. Following successful pilots, librarians are now being trained, via e-learning, as information providers who can help patients access choice information from NHS Choices and make their hospital booking through Choose and Book.
	The Partnership for Patients Programme is one of the levers the Department recommends primary care trusts use to make their local population aware of the range of choices open to them, currently around 500 of a possible 3,044 public libraries are currently offering this support. The 10 national health service strategic health authorities are now leading the implementation of the library project at a local level.

Patient Choice Schemes

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Choose and Book system is now operational throughout England.

Ben Bradshaw: All national health service hospitals are now using Choose and Book, along with 93 per cent. of general practitioner (GP) practices in England. There are now up to 28,000 bookings taking place every day, and 107,000 referrals every week. Over 10 million referrals having been made using the system.
	Choose and Book continues to become the everyday method of referral across the national health service. Around half of all GP referrals to first consultant out-patient appointments are going through Choose and Book, and the number of referrals to other services, including community based services and allied health professionals are increasing steadily.
	Choose and Book is easy and convenient to use, and over the last 12 months the national system has been available for use over 99 per cent. of the time.

Pharmacy

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has had on proposals in the Pharmacy White Paper; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: We are currently analysing responses to the consultation Pharmacy in England: Building on strengths - delivering the future - proposals for legislative reform which ended on 20 November 2008 and will make further announcements in due course. However, in respect of the consultation proposals to amend the criteria for dispensing by doctors, I refer the hon. Member to the oral answer given to the hon. Member for Bassetlaw (John Mann) on 16 December 2008,  Official Report, column 952.

Power Stations: Health Hazards

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to issue guidance on any known effects on humans of prolonged residence in proximity to power stations to families who live near such installations; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The Environment Agency regulates emissions from power stations, which have an important influence on air pollution levels but do not alone lead to local breaches of the air quality objectives in the Air Quality Strategy. There has been no specific study of the health of people living around power stations but the health benefits of reductions in emissions from power stations overall (locally and nationally) have been assessed in reports available on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs website:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/airquality/publications/stratreview-analysis/index.htm
	Guidance on the health effects of air pollution in general is available on the website of the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants:
	http://www.advisorybodies.doh.gov.uk/comeap/statementsreports/healtheffects.htm.
	There have been studies of the incidence of childhood cancer undertaken around nuclear power stations in particular and these have been reviewed by the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE). In its 10th report, it concluded that there was no evidence of excess numbers of cases in any local 25 km area around any of the nuclear power stations:
	http://www.comare.org.uk/press_releases/comare_pr10.htm

Prescription Drugs

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps his Department is taking to  (a) ensure equitable payment to dispensing appliance contractors and pharmacy contractors for equivalent services under Part IX of the Drug Tariff proposals and  (b) extend the expensive prescription fee to dispensing appliance contractors;
	(2)  what assessment his Department has made of the competition implications of not extending the same prescription fee structure to dispensing appliance contractors and to pharmacies; and if he will make a statement.

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the competition implications of not extending the same prescription fee structure to dispensing appliance contractors and to pharmacies; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: A review of the arrangements under Part IX of the Drug tariff for the provision of stoma and urology itemsand related servicesin primary care is currently under way. One of the stated aims of the review is that it seeks to make service provided by and payment provision to dispensing appliance contractors (DACs) and pharmacy contractors more equitable. A number of proposals have been put forward in consultation issued by the Department and extending the expensive prescription fee to DACs has been raised by respondents and will therefore be considered. The consultation closed in September 2008; details of the how this work will progress in light of responses and a final impact assessment will be published in the new year.

Primary Care Trusts

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish his national support programme for primary care trust board development.

Ben Bradshaw: As part of the World Class Commissioning Programme, PCT Board Development Framework can be found at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/en/Managingyourorganisation/Commissioning/Worldclasscommissioning/Supportanddevelopment/DH_084999
	and a copy has been placed in the Library.

Primary Care Trusts: Finance

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health to what proportion of primary care trust revenue allocations for the 2009-10 financial year the health inequalities formula has been applied, with the meaning described on page 28 of his Department's Report of the Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation published 8 December 2008.

Ben Bradshaw: One Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation (ACRA) objective is to help to reduce avoidable health inequalities through resource allocation. To achieve this objective, a separate health inequalities formula has been developed which targets funds at the places with the worst health outcomes. This is a more transparent way of contributing towards the reduction in health inequalities through resource allocation, and highlights our commitment to tackling the issue of health inequality.
	ACRA could not determine the proportion of allocations to apply the health inequalities formula to and left it to ministerial decision. Ministers decided to apply the formula to 15 per cent. of the allocations, excluding the mental health component of the formula (which already includes an adjustment for unmet need) and HIV/AIDS. This keeps the distribution of funding between the most and least deprived areas in line with the previous formula.

Primary Care Trusts: Finance

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what variables are included in the weighted capitation formula used to inform primary care trust revenue allocation for 2009-10; and what the data sources are for each.

Ben Bradshaw: The variables included in the weighted capitation formula for 2009-10 primary care trust revenue allocations and their data sources are set out in the Department's publication Resource Allocation: Weighted Capitation Formula (Sixth Edition), which has been placed in the Library, and which is also available at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_091849.

Primary Care Trusts: Finance

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the weighted capitation targets per  (a) unweighted and  (b) weighted head are for (i) 2008-09 and (ii) 2009-10 (A) for England on average and (B) for each primary care trust.

Ben Bradshaw: The information is provided in the table for 2009-10. Weighted capitation targets were not calculated for 2008-09 because the formula which determines them was frozen while the Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation were granted more time to conclude their review.
	
		
			  2009-10 weighted capitation targets per unweighted and weighted person by primary care trust (PCT) 
			   
			  PCT  Weighted capitation target per unweighted head  Weighted capitation target per weighted hea d 
			 Ashton, Leigh and Wigan PCT 1,757 1,462 
			 Barking and Dagenham PCT 1,810 1,543 
			 Barnet PCT 1,444 1,692 
			 Barnsley PCT 1,877 1,435 
			 Bassetlaw PCT 1,673 1,402 
			 Bath and North East Somerset PCT 1,288 1,621 
			 Bedfordshire PCT 1,340 1,481 
			 Berkshire East PCT 1,315 1,595 
			 Berkshire West PCT 1,235 1,619 
			 Bexley Care Trust 1,488 1,554 
			 Birmingham East and North PCT 1,713 1,497 
			 Blackburn with Darwen PCT 1,719 1,492 
			 Blackpool PCT 1,938 1,476 
			 Bolton PCT 1,714 1,491 
			 Bournemouth and Poole Teaching PCT 1,548 1,592 
			 Bradford and Airedale Teaching PCT 1,598 1,516 
			 Brent Teaching PCT 1,629 1,677 
			 Brighton and Hove City PCT 1,572 1,654 
			 Bristol PCT 1,485 1,555 
			 Bromley PCT 1,405 1,664 
			 Buckinghamshire PCT 1,260 1,573 
			 Bury PCT 1,578 1,483 
			 Calderdale PCT 1,531 1,522 
			 Cambridgeshire PCT 1,314 1,517 
			 Camden PCT 1,610 1,747 
			 Central and Eastern Cheshire PCT 1,419 1,546 
			 Central Lancashire PCT 1,571 1,509 
			 City and Hackney Teaching PCT 2,009 1,632 
			 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly PCT 1,586 1,444 
			 County Durham PCT 1,826 1,459 
			 Coventry Teaching PCT 1,622 1,532 
			 Croydon PCT 1,494 1,616 
			 Cumbria Teaching PCT 1,572 1,506 
			 Darlington PCT 1,651 1,559 
			 Derby City PCT 1,562 1,450 
			 Derbyshire County PCT 1,589 1,444 
			 Devon PCT 1,454 1,523 
			 Doncaster PCT 1,775 1,461 
			 Dorset PCT 1,497 1,525 
			 Dudley PCT 1,592 1,475 
			 Ealing PCT 1,557 1,657 
			 East and North Hertfordshire PCT 1,366 1,537 
			 East Lancashire Teaching PCT 1,672 1,527 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire PCT 1,464 1,440 
			 East Sussex Downs and Weald PCT 1,497 1,576 
			 Eastern and Coastal Kent PCT 1,576 1,523 
			 Enfield PCT 1,569 1,565 
			 Gateshead PCT 1,840 1,534 
			 Gloucestershire PCT 1,378 1,560 
			 Great Yarmouth and Waveney PCT 1,649 1,490 
			 Greenwich Teaching PCT 1,727 1,595 
			 Halton and St. Helens PCT 1,837 1,477 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham PCT 1,625 1,782 
			 Hampshire PCT 1,335 1,556 
			 Haringey Teaching PCT 1,706 1,571 
			 Harrow PCT 1,439 1,650 
			 Hartlepool PCT 1,860 1,473 
			 Hastings and Rother PCT 1,720 1,567 
			 Havering PCT 1,572 1,538 
			 Heart of Birmingham Teaching PCT 1,639 1,700 
			 Herefordshire PCT 1,489 1,500 
			 Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale PCT 1,743 1,527 
			 Hillingdon PCT 1,451 1,632 
			 Hounslow PCT 1,539 1,611 
			 Hull Teaching PCT l,689 1,440 
			 Isle of Wight NHS PCT 1,651 1,516 
			 Islington PCT 1,913 1,738 
			 Kensington and Chelsea PCT 1,377 1,869 
			 Kingston PCT 1,242 1,748 
			 Kirklees PCT 1,536 1,504 
			 Knowsley PCT 2,020 1,525 
			 Lambeth PCT 1,731 1,759 
			 Leeds PCT 1,506 1,508 
			 Leicester City PCT 1,649 1,448 
			 Leicestershire County and Rutland PCT 1,327 1,457 
			 Lewisham PCT 1,678 1,728 
			 Lincolnshire Teaching PCT 1,553 1,451 
			 Liverpool PCT 2,007 1,562 
			 Luton PCT 1,553 1,513 
			 Manchester PCT 1,889 1,495 
			 Medway PCT 1,456 1,535 
			 Mid Essex PCT 1,316 1,480 
			 Middlesbrough PCT 1,819 1,520 
			 Milton Keynes PCT 1,360 1,496 
			 Newcastle PCT 1,719 1,580 
			 Newham PCT 1,963 1,636 
			 Norfolk PCT 1,505 1,466 
			 North East Essex PCT 1,561 1,460 
			 North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus 1,595 1,502 
			 North Lancashire Teaching PCT 1,599 1,477 
			 North Lincolnshire PCT 1,561 1,440 
			 North Somerset PCT 1,464 1,471 
			 North Staffordshire PCT 1,586 1,487 
			 North Tyneside PCT 1,697 1,517 
			 North Yorkshire and York PCT 1,380 1,498 
			 Northamptonshire Teaching PCT 1,379 1,513 
			 Northumberland Care Trust 1,635 1,489 
			 Nottingham City PCT 1,638 1,446 
			 Nottinghamshire County Teaching PCT 1,538 1,448 
			 Oldham PCT 1,715 1,505 
			 Oxfordshire PCT 1,261 1,595 
			 Peterborough PCT 1,539 1,604 
			 Plymouth Teaching PCT 1,602 1,476 
			 Portsmouth City Teaching PCT 1,485 1,541 
			 Redbridge PCT 1,512 1,513 
			 Redcar and Cleveland PCT 1,777 1,511 
			 Richmond and Twickenham PCT 1,215 1,896 
			 Rotherham PCT 1,758 1,449 
			 Salford PCT 1,879 1,546 
			 Sandwell PCT 1,821 1,450 
			 Sefton PCT 1,747 1,557 
			 Sheffield PCT 1,619 1,556 
			 Shropshire County PCT 1,469 1,480 
			 Solihull Care Trust 1,404 1,545 
			 Somerset PCT 1,461 1,502 
			 South Birmingham PCT 1,664 1,539 
			 South East Essex PCT 1,534 1,497 
			 South Gloucestershire PCT 1,260 1,594 
			 South Staffordshire PCT 1,480 1,446 
			 South Tyneside PCT 1,849 1,534 
			 South West Essex PCT 1,492 1,535 
			 Southampton City PCT 1,504 1,510 
			 Southwark PCT 1,755 1,628 
			 Stockport PCT 1,483 1,584 
			 Stockton-on-Tees Teaching PCT 1,585 1,448 
			 Stoke on Trent PCT 1,845 1,440 
			 Suffolk PCT 1,382 1,480 
			 Sunderland Teaching PCT 1,873 1,529 
			 Surrey PCT 1,282 1,718 
			 Sutton and Merton PCT 1,384 1,684 
			 Swindon PCT 1,433 1,539 
			 Tameside and Glossop PCT 1,709 1,507 
			 Telford and Wrekin PCT 1,540 1,457 
			 Torbay Care Trust 1,725 1,496 
			 Tower Hamlets PCT 1,917 1,624 
			 Trafford PCT 1,476 1,660 
			 Wakefield District PCT 1,771 1,445 
			 Walsall Teaching PCT 1,734 1,500 
			 Waltham Forest PCT 1,700 1,560 
			 Wandsworth PCT 1,482 1,757 
			 Warrington PCT 1,509 1,524 
			 Warwickshire PCT 1,427 1,514 
			 West Essex PCT 1,447 1,585 
			 West Hertfordshire PCT 1,348 1,626 
			 West Kent PCT 1,376 1,540 
			 West Sussex PCT 1,438 1,598 
			 Western Cheshire PCT 1,493 1,560 
			 Westminster PCT 1,452 1,878 
			 Wiltshire PCT 1,321 1,552 
			 Wirral PCT 1,787 1,568 
			 Wolverhampton City PCT 1,764 1,492 
			 Worcestershire PCT 1,431 1,499 
			
			 England 1,540 1,540

Primary Care Trusts: Finance

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 8 December 2008,  Official Report, columns 30-8WS, on primary care trust revenue allocations/NHS operating framework, what assessment he has made of the pace of change policy relating to the new resource allocation formula; and in what year he expects primary care trusts will receive an actual revenue allocation equivalent to the target revenue allocation determined by the weighted capitation formula.

Ben Bradshaw: Pace of change policy for the 2009-10 and 2010-11 revenue allocations ensures stability of funding for primary care trusts (PCTs), and allows them to make progress nationally and in local priority areas:
	no PCT will receive less than an average of 5.2 per cent. per year over two years;
	under target PCTs will receive average growth (5.5 per cent.) per year, or above; and
	by the end of 2010-11, no PCT will be more than 6.2 per cent. below its fair share of available resources.
	We are committed to bringing PCTs to their target allocations as soon as is practicable. However, this has to be consistent with all PCTs receiving sufficient extra funding to enable them to deliver on national and local priorities. Pace of change policy for the next round of allocations will be considered in the light of the overall resources available for the NHS.

Public Analyst Laboratories

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which public analyst laboratories were open in 1997.

Dawn Primarolo: In 1997 there were public analyst laboratories in Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Carmarthen, Cardiff (Cardiff City Authority laboratory), Cardiff (Mid-Glamorgan Authority laboratory), Chester, Dundee, Durham, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Hull, Leicester, Liverpool, London (London Bridge), London (New Cross), Manchester, Matlock, Newcastle, Norwich, Preston, Salford, Sheffield, Southsea, Stafford, Wakefield, Worcester, Taunton, West Malling and Wolverhampton.

Race for Health Programme

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many primary care trusts are taking part in the Race for Health Programme.

Ann Keen: To date, 21 primary care trusts are participating in the Race for Health programme. The PCTs are: Berkshire East, Bradford and Airedale Teaching, Bristol, Ealing, Haringey Teaching, Hastings and Rother, Lambeth, Leeds, Leicester City, Liverpool, Luton Teaching, Manchester, Norfolk, Oldham, Shropshire County, South Birmingham, Suffolk, Trafford, Wandsworth, Westminster, and Wolverhampton City.

Scarborough and North East Yorkshire Healthcare NHS Trust: Billing

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will encourage the Scarborough and North East Yorkshire Healthcare NHS Trust to settle its invoices to small and medium-sized enterprises within the target of 10 days.

Ben Bradshaw: We do not currently collect such performance data because no specific requirement has yet been placed on national health service bodies to meet a 10-day target.
	However, David Nicholson, NHS Chief Executive, wrote to all NHS trust Chief Executives on 21 October 2008 asking them to examine and review existing payment practices and payment performance and to move as closely as possible to the 10-day payment commitment that has been set for Government Departments wherever practical. Bill Moyes, Executive Chair, Monitor, has written similarly to all NHS foundation trusts.

Schizophrenia

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department plans to allow patients with paranoid schizophrenia who have a history of violence to choose their own treatment options.

Phil Hope: Our Choices in Mental Health, written in consultation with service users and carers and published in 2006, sets out a framework that will make choice available locally to people who use mental health services in England. A copy of the publication has been placed in the Library. When Our Choices in Mental Health was published, it was considered that offering a choice of provider or treatment to service users with more severe and enduring conditions would not always be appropriate.
	The Care Programme Approach, the process of assessing mental health users' needs, should provide each mental health service user with an opportunity to be actively involved in agreeing their treatment plans with their care coordinator.

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Advisory Group

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the work of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Advisory Group; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: In autumn 2007 the Department decided to review the work of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Advisory Group (SOGIAG) to date with a view to strengthening procedures and giving the group more support from officials. The Office for Public Management (OPM) was commissioned to undertake this independent review. A copy of their report has been placed in the Library.
	Following the OPM report the Department has refreshed the group. In summer 2008 the Department went through an open appointments process and now has a new external high-level Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Advisory Group. Work has begun on several projects, including in the areas of suicide prevention for LGBT people, the social care needs of LGBT people, and partnership working with community organisations.
	The Department has also begun a process of reviewing how we engage with all equality stakeholders and this review is due to report in spring 2009.

Sight Impaired

Tom Levitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines his Department follows in respect of making printed materials and forms accessible to people suffering red/green colour blindness.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department follows Royal National Institute of Blind People 'See it Right' guidelines in the production of its publications. This includes guidelines on the use of red and green in printed materials. All departmental publications are published through Central Office for Information, which has a policy of adherence to these guidelines.

Social Enterprise Investment Fund

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much he expects the Social Enterprise Investment Fund to spend in 2008-09.

Phil Hope: Applications to the Social Enterprise Investment Fund are currently being assessed. However, 11 million capital and 7 million revenue has been allocated to the Social Enterprise Investment Fund for 2008-09.

Social Enterprise Pathfinder Projects

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made on each of the 26 social enterprise pathfinder projects set up by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: This information is not held centrally. The Department has commissioned an external evaluation of the Social Enterprise Pathfinders. The evaluation report is expected in early spring 2009.

Social Services

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase public awareness and understanding of national social care needs.

Phil Hope: Ahead of publishing the Care and Support Green Paper early in 2009, the Department has been raising awareness of existing social care services while seeking views about future care and support services. A six-month public engagement process was established this year in order to gather views and comments from stakeholders, service users and members of the public which will help inform next year's Green Paper. In addition, we achieved media coverage both national and regional, and worked with stakeholders to obtain coverage in their communication channels, including newsletters and websites. Once the process of analysing the responses has been finalised, plans will be made to publish a report of the responses received alongside the Green Paper.
	The 'Putting People First' initiative was set-up in 2007 as a concordat with other Government Departments and range of stakeholders from the care sector. This identifies a key role for local government in providing access to information, advice and advocacy (where it is needed) in enabling people to exercise choice and control over their lives.

Social Services

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will commission research to analyse potential financial savings to the Department of Health of providing preventative care services to people with low and moderate needs.

Phil Hope: We recognise the importance of research to support development in this area, which is why we have invested in the Partnership for Older People Projects and the work of the Care Services Efficiency and Delivery Team on enablement. Both of these provide an evidence base on the most effective forms of early intervention and this work is continuing.
	The Government have also published Improving Health and Work: changing lives on 25 November 2008, which is our vision to create a society where the links between work and health are recognised by all, where everyone aspires to a healthy and fulfilling working life and where health conditions and disabilities are not a bar to enjoying the benefits of work. A copy of the publication has been placed in the Library. This includes evidenced based policy work on early intervention, for example 'fit for work' pilots. These aim to help people back to or remain in work when they develop a health condition or impairment. We are testing a range of services to provide support for people who develop health conditions.

Social Services

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to ensure that social care needs are met.

Phil Hope: The responsibility for delivery of social care and ensuring that social care needs are met rests with local authorities. The Department provides the policy framework to support local authorities in meeting their statutory requirements.
	Local authorities have reported a continued increase in social care expenditure. Last year (2007-08), provisional data show that local authorities reported gross current spend on adult social care services was 15.6 billion. This has increased by 85 per cent. over the last 10 years.
	From 2008-11, the Department has committed to contributing over 3.5 billion into adult social care services specific revenue grants and the area based grant (ABGthis enables flexibility for local authorities to make decisions concerning local priorities, of which social care is one, and delivering public services). This is an average increase of over 10 per cent. per year from the Department.
	The Department will continue to work collaboratively with local authorities and their representative bodies, other Government Departments (working across the boundaries of social care, health, housing and employment), service users and other key stakeholders to evaluate the risks and opportunities to support the delivery of social care. The vision for social care is laid down in Putting People First, a copy of which has already been placed in the Library. This document was signed by six Secretaries of State and a range of key stakeholders from local government and partner bodies. The Department is now working with all of these stakeholders to support the delivery of that vision. The Department is investing more than half a billion pounds in developing more personalised care services through the Social Care Reform grant.

Social Services: Fees and Charges

Roger Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to meet the Coalition on Charging to discuss its report Charging into Poverty as part of his formulation of policy on charging for social care.

Phil Hope: Most members of the Coalition on Charging have been meeting with departmental officials as part of the stakeholder engagement, which is helping to inform the development of the Green Paper on the future of care and support. We will take full account of the Coalition's report in considering the future arrangements for care and support.

Social Services: Public Consultation

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the forthcoming Green Paper on social care will include proposals on supporting people.

Phil Hope: The whole ethos of the Care and Support Green Paper, to be published early in 2009, will be how people can be better supported in the future.
	The Government intend to publish its proposals for reform in order to address demographic changes and an estimated widening gap in funding. Ahead of producing the Green Paper, the Department has run a six-month public engagement process in order to gather views and comments from stakeholders, service users and members of the public to help inform the Green Paper to help ensure this will meet the needs of those requiring support.

Social Workers

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of social workers working with local authorities but employed by an agency; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: The number of agency staff working in social services departments by local authority is not held centrally. The Local Government Association estimated in 2006 that the average percentage of agency staff working in posts for adults within local authority social services departments in England was 5.2 per cent. This was estimated to equate to around 8,800 agency staff covering a range of roles including field social workers but also residential care workers and administrative staff.

Social Workers

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent by each local authority on employing social workers via agencies in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: This information is not held centrally.

Social Workers

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has issued to local authorities on the employment of social workers via agencies; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: The General Social Care Council has issued statutory codes of practice for social care workers and their employers under section 62 of the Care Standards Act 2000. They provide a clear guide for all those who work in social care, setting out the standards of conduct workers and their employers should meet. They also mean that people who use services, carers and the wider public will know what standard of conduct and practice they can expect.

Third Sector Funding and Investment Review

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the implications for the Section 64 scheme and the Opportunities for Volunteering scheme of his Department's strategic review of funding and investment in the third sector;
	(2)  what progress the Third Sector Funding and Investment Review has made on the development of a strategic framework for investment in the third sector by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: In July 2008 the Department published a response to the strategic review of Third Sector Funding and Investment consultation, undertaken between December 2007 and March 2008. A copy has been placed in the Library.
	The vision for future funding of the third sector included: investment in strategic partners; support for innovation excellence and service development; promote and support volunteering; and contracting for expertise required at national level. There was strong support for this vision and the principles underpinning this approach.
	From the feedback on the proposals we have developed a funding framework that underpins a wider third sector investment programme. The programme will be developed over time as more funding schemes in the Department are brought into the framework. For 2009-10 the third sector investment programme will include:
	Innovation Excellence and Service Development Fund - this replaces the Section 64 General Scheme of grants - project funding; and
	Strategic Partner Programme - this replaces the Section 64 General scheme of grants-core funding.
	We anticipate that from 2010-11 a new volunteer investment fund, building on the existing Opportunities for Volunteering Scheme, will form part of the Third Sector Investment Programme. Moving forward, policy specific funding schemes and initiatives will be drawn under the banner of the wider programme.
	This process will result in transformation of previous piecemeal arrangements for funding the third sector into a strategic portfolio of investments that will more explicitly support delivery of the Department's objectives and priorities supporting a fundamental step change in the Department's funding relationships with third sector organisations.

Tobacco

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to publish the responses made to his Department's consultation on the Future of Tobacco Control; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the written statement made by the Secretary of State for Health on 9 December 2008,  Official Report, columns 46-47WS.
	The Government have published a report summarising the more than 96,000 responses received during the consultation. There are no plans to publish specific consultation responses.
	The report has already been placed in the Library and is also available on the Department's website at:
	http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Responses toconsultations/DH_091382.

Transsexuality

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the average waiting time between a patient being accepted for NHS gender reassignment surgery and completion of the operation was in  (a) England,  (b) the North East,  (c) Tees Valley district and  (d) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency in the latest period for which figures are available;
	(2)  how many people are waiting for NHS gender reassignment surgery in  (a) England,  (b) the North East,  (c) Tees Valley district and  (d) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency;
	(3)  how many people have unsuccessfully applied for NHS gender reassignment surgery in  (a) England,  (b) the North East,  (c) Tees Valley district and  (d) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency in each of the last five years.

Ben Bradshaw: This information is not collected centrally. The Department's guidance for general practitioners and other professionals on the care of gender variant people, was published in May 2008.

Tuberculosis

Doug Naysmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of tuberculosis cases notified in England were of  (a) homeless persons,  (b) problem drug-users and  (c) prisoners in the last 12 months; and what proportion of such people in each category received directly-observed therapy from the start of their treatment in that period.

Dawn Primarolo: No data are collected on these risk factors, nor on the proportion of people receiving directly observed therapy. The Health Protection Agency has recently redeveloped its surveillance system to collect this information about risk factors and whether patients started on treatment are under direct observation, and the new system is currently being rolled out nationally.

Tuberculosis

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many instances of tuberculosis have been recorded in  (a) Gravesham,  (b) Kent and  (c) England in each quarter of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The following table indicates the number of tuberculosis cases in Gravesham, Kent and England for the calendar years 2000 to 2006.
	
		
			  Area  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			 Gravesham 8 5 5 8 7 8 11 
			 Kent 60 73 78 90 76 84 105 
			 
			 England 6,091 6,414 6,638 6,741 7,049 7,846 7,862 
			  Notes: 1. Cases in Gravesham and Kent were determined on the basis of local authority (of patient's residence). 2. Data for Gravesham are for Gravesham local authority; data for Kent comprise: Medway, Ashford, Canterbury, Dartford, Dover, Gravesham, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Shepway, Swale, Thanet, Tonbridge and Mailing, and Tunbridge Wells local authorities. 3. We have not provided data by quarter because the case numbers per quarter would be very small and would have to be suppressed due to the risk of deductive disclosure. Local authority information is not yet available for 2007.  Source: Enhanced Tuberculosis Surveillance, Health Protection Agency

Vitamin B12

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons the guideline thresholds for vitamin B12 levels set by his Department and the World Health Organisation differ; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The guideline thresholds have been taken to refer to the recommended or reference nutrient intakes for vitamin B12.
	In 1991, the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy (COMA) set the Reference Nutrient Intake (the amount of a nutrient which meets the needs of almost all individuals) for vitamin B12 at 1.5 micrograms vitamin B12 per day for UK adult men and women.
	In 2004, the World Health Organisation (WHO) revised its recommended nutrient intakes for vitamin B12 upwards, from 1.0 microgram per day (set in 1988) to 2.4 micrograms per day for adults. The WHO recommendation appears to be largely based on the USA Institute of Medicine's (IOM) Dietary Reference Intakes for vitamin B12 published in 2000. The Institute of Occupational Medicine recommendation was based on a review of evidence some of which was not available to COMA in 1991.
	The most recent National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) of adults aged 19-64 years reported mean daily vitamin B12 intakes exceed both COMA and WHO recommendations at 6.8 micrograms and 5.1 micrograms for men and women respectively.

WALES

Departmental Assets

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assets of his Department are planned to be sold in each financial year from 2007-08 to 2010-11; what the  (a) description and  (b) book value of each such asset is; what the expected revenue from each such sale is; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Murphy: My Department has no plans to sell assets, our main asset is Gwydyr House, which we occupy.

Departmental Correspondence

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many  (a) letters and  (b) e-mails received by his Department had not been responded to as at 15 December 2008.

Paul Murphy: The Cabinet Office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on the performance of Departments in replying to Members/Peers correspondence. Information relating to 2008 will be published as soon as it has been collated. The report for 2007 was published on 20 March 2008,  Official Report, columns 71-74WS. Reports for earlier years are available in the Library of the House. When responding to all correspondence, the Wales Office abides by the guidance set out in 'Handling correspondence from MPs, Lords, MEPs and Members of Devolved Assemblies' which was published by the Cabinet Office in July 2005.
	In respect of emails, the information is only available at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Data Protection

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of contractors and suppliers to his Department has reported compliance with the Government's security standards following publication of the report, Data Handling Procedures in Government, and the accompanying document, Cross-departmental Actions: Mandatory Minimum Action, on 25 June 2008.

Paul Murphy: The Wales Office does not directly use external suppliers or contractors to carry out its responsibilities. The Wales Office is provided with its IT and support services by the Ministry of Justice, who place an obligation on all of their contractors to provide IT and data management systems that meet Government security standards.

Departmental Data Protection

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many contracts his Department has which allow contractors to store personal data of UK citizens overseas; for which contracts this applies; in which countries the data for each contract is held; and how many people have their data stored overseas in the case of each such contract.

Paul Murphy: The Wales Office does not store or process personal data overseas.

Departmental Data Protection

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when his Department appointed a senior information risk owner in accordance with the report, Data Handling Procedures in Government and the accompanying document Cross-departmental Actions: Mandatory Minimum Action; and what grade the person holds within the Department.

Paul Murphy: The responsibility of Senior Information Risk Owner was transferred to the newly-created post of Head of Corporate Services in November. The postholder is a member of the Department's Management Board.

Departmental Data Protection

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of the IT systems in his Department is fully accredited to the Government's security standards.

Paul Murphy: The Wales Office's IT services are provided by the Ministry of Justice. These IT systems are fully accredited to Government standards.

Departmental ICT

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what IT projects his Department is undertaking; and what the most recent estimate of  (a) the cost and  (b) the completion date of each is.

Paul Murphy: The Wales Office is provided with its IT services by the Ministry of Justice. Consequently, the Department does not directly undertake IT projects.

Departmental Information Officers

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many press and communications officers are employed by his Department.

Paul Murphy: The Wales Office has three press and communications officers.

Departmental Internet

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his Department spent maintaining its website in each of the last five years.

Paul Murphy: My Department has spent the following on maintaining our website.
	
		
			
			 2003-04 1,600 
			 2004-05 1,600 
			 2005-06 1,600 
			 2006-07 1,600 
			 2007-08 6,936 
		
	
	The 2007-08 figure includes the cost of designing and establishing the new Wales Office website.

Departmental Internet

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his Department has spent on broadband internet in each of the last five years.

Paul Murphy: The Wales Office installed two broadband lines in January 2008, prior to this, we did not have any broadband. The cost of each line is 111 per quarter.

Departmental Internet

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales for which websites his Department provides funding.

Paul Murphy: My Department funds two departmental websites:
	www.walesoffice.gov.uk
	and
	www.swyddfa.cymru.gov.uk

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many full-time equivalent staff in his Department work to assist special advisers; and what the cost of employing such staff was in each of the last three years.

Paul Murphy: The Wales Office has no full-time support staff for special advisers.

Departmental Pensions

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many civil servants working in his Department have pensions with a cash equivalent transfer value of over 1 million.

Paul Murphy: It is not appropriate to disclose pension information for civil servants other than board members, whose details are shown in the remuneration report in annual resource accounts for the Ministry of Justice.
	A copy of the resource accounts for financial year 2007-08 can be found in the Library, or accessed electronically using the following link:
	http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/hc0708/hc08/0869/0869.asp

Departmental Sick Leave

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many hours of work were lost through sickness absence on the part of staff working in his Department in the last 12 months.

Paul Murphy: The Wales Office does not record the sickness absence of its staff in terms of hours, but in terms of days and half days.
	In the year to March 2008, 505.5 days were lost to sickness absence.

Departmental Written Questions

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many and what proportion of written questions for answer on a named day his Department has answered on the due date in the current Session of Parliament.

Paul Murphy: The Wales Office have not received any named day questions in the current parliamentary Session.

Plain English

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his Department spent on Plain English Campaign training courses in each of the last five years.

Paul Murphy: No expenditure was incurred, but through staff development and coaching, my Department encourages all its staff to use Plain English.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Climate Change

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment his Department has made of its capacity to adapt to climate change; and what plans he has to publish a climate change adaptation strategy.

Shaun Woodward: The Adapting to Climate Change programme is responsible for the co-ordination of the Government's work on adaptation in England. In Northern Irelandas in Scotland and Walesthe devolved Administration is responsible for considering how climate change will affect issues such as health, education and planning. However, it is recognised that there is a need to ensure coherence across the Administrations, and take a UK-wide approach on issues.
	Therefore the UK Administrations are committed to working closely together to share best practice and develop initiatives.
	My Department is working in conjunction with the NI Departments in responding to the challenges of climate change. In January 2007 the Scotland and Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research published a report entitled Preparing for a changing climate in Northern Ireland. The report examined the ways in which Northern Ireland must prepare to meet both the opportunities and threats presented by the impacts of a changing climate. It focuses specifically on the impacts on, and the need for adaptation by, the public sector in Northern Ireland.
	Under the Climate Change Act 2008 Northern Ireland will participate in the development of a UK-wide risk assessment which will help inform the development of a Northern Ireland Adaptation Strategy.

Departmental Correspondence

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many  (a) letters and  (b) e-mails received by his Department had not been responded to as at 15 December 2008.

Shaun Woodward: The information is as follows.
	 (a) The Cabinet Office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on the performance of Departments in replying to Members/peers correspondence. Information relating to 2008 will be published as soon as it has been collated. The report for 2007 was published on 20 March 2008,  Official Report, columns 71-74WS. Reports for earlier years are available in the Library of the House. When responding to all correspondence the NIO abides by the guidance as set out in Handling correspondence from MPs, Lords, MEPs and Members of Devolved Assemblies which was published by the Cabinet office in July 2005.
	 (b) In respect of e-mails, the NIO is unable to provide the information within the disproportionate cost limit as to do so would require gathering information from every official in the Department.

Departmental Data Protection

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many civil servants in his Department have been  (a) investigated,  (b) suspended and  (c) dismissed for (i) losing and (ii) deliberately disclosing (A) data stored on departmental equipment and (B) confidential information in each year since 1997.

Paul Goggins: There have been three such cases in the Northern Ireland Office and its agencies and legal offices since 1997. As there are fewer than five cases, details about the cases cannot be released for reasons of confidentiality. The Northern Ireland Office has clear policies and processes in place to ensure that staff understand the importance of data security and data confidentiality and to ensure that any cases of potential data loss can be properly dealt with.

Departmental Data Protection

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of contractors and suppliers to  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies has reported compliance with the Government's security standards following publication of the report, Data Handling Procedures in Government, and the accompanying document, Cross-departmental Actions: Mandatory Minimum Action, on 25 June 2008.

Shaun Woodward: The Northern Ireland Office breakdown percentage of contractors and suppliers that have reported compliance to Government requirements is:  (a) the core Department80 per cent.; and  (b) our agencies60 per cent. My departmental officials are working with our contractors and suppliers to ensure they maintain and improve compliance.

Departmental Data Protection

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many contracts  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies have which allow contractors to store personal data of UK citizens overseas; for which contracts this applies; in which countries the data for each contract is held; and how many people have their data stored overseas in the case of each such contract.

Shaun Woodward: There are no contracts in the Northern Ireland Office and its agencies that allow contractors to store personal data of UK citizens overseas.

Departmental Data Protection

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of the IT systems in  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies are fully accredited to the Government's security standards.

Shaun Woodward: The percentage of IT systems holding protectively marked data accredited in my Department is as follows:  (a) the core Department 100 per cent.; and  (b) the agencies75 per cent. The remaining systems that hold protectively marked data are in the accreditation process.

Departmental Drinking Water

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many water coolers are used by his Department.

Shaun Woodward: My Department's general policy is to use tap water where it is available. It currently has 16 coolers in six buildings and further reductions are planned.

Departmental Equality

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information his Department holds on the  (a) sex,  (b) ethnicity,  (c) age,  (d) disability,  (e) sexual orientation and  (f) religion or belief of its staff; and what assessment he has made of his Department's performance against its targets relating to diversity in its workforce.

Shaun Woodward: The civil service diversity strategy, 'Promoting Equality, Valuing Diversity', published in July, sets civil service wide targets in relation to gender, ethnicity and disability for the next three to five years.
	The Department retains Human Resource information on staff including details of  (a) sex and  (c) age. Human resource information may also include voluntary monitoring declarations on  (b) ethnicity and  (d) disability, and  (d) disability data are also held following the provision of reasonable adjustments and for emergency evacuation purposes.
	In Northern Ireland, (where  (f) religion and belief legislation does not apply) Northern Ireland legislation requires statutory monitoring of Northern Ireland community background to be undertaken for the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.
	At present, the Department is examining ways to sensitively monitor  (e) sexual orientation.
	The Department regularly assesses the diversity of its work force against its targets. In addition, Cabinet Office peer assessment of the Department's Diversity delivery plan for 2008-10 will take place in early 2009.

Departmental Furniture

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was spent by his Department on furniture made by  (a) British firms,  (b) Remploy and  (c) overseas firms in each year since 2000.

Shaun Woodward: Information on furniture spend by country of manufacture is not held and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. No goods have been purchased by my Department from Remploy.

Departmental Marketing

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland with reference to the answer of 13 November 2008,  Official Report, column 1318W, on departmental marketing, what each advertisement referred to was; and how much each cost.

Shaun Woodward: The information requested is contained in the following table.
	
		
			  Type of Advertisement  Number  Advertisement referred to  C ost () 
			 Newspaper 2 Understanding corporate manslaughter and Homicide Act 2007 2,447.00 
			 Newspaper 1 Public consultation on a proposed Draft Criminal Justice (NI) Order 2007 2,252.53 
			 Newspaper 1 Public consultation on Sexual Offences Order 2,474.43 
			 Newspaper 1 Public consultation on Fine Default 1,691.70 
			 Newspaper 1 Consultation on Proposals for Reform of the Law on Murder, Manslaughter and Infanticide 1,810.00 
			 Newspaper 2 Implementation of Electronic Monitoring in NI advert for Contracts and Tenders 402.29 
			 Newspaper 1 Competition to recruit a new Prisoner Ombudsman 22,316.00 
			 Newspaper 1 Consultation to the Proposed amendment to the Criminal Damage Order 1,649.46 
			 Newspaper 1 Notice of Closure of Belfast City Mortuary, Forster Green and opening of a new NI Regional Forensic Mortuary in the Royal Hospitals complex 925.90 
			 Newspaper 1 Consultation on the Proposed Northern Ireland Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2009 2,107.91 
			 Newspaper 4 Invitations for tenders for the NI Appropriate Adult Scheme 788.69 
			 Newspaper 5 Theft from Vehicles campaign 4,563.50 
			 Newspaper 7 Recruitment 6,064.93 
			 Newspaper 5 Recruitment 5,092.59 
			 Newspaper 5 BT Phone Book advertising 8,062.60 
			 Newspaper 1 Yellow Pages advertising 1,463.00 
			 Newspaper 1 'Criminal Justice' advertising 2,295.00 
			 Newspaper 3 Invitations for tenders for provision of a graphic design and print service 548.27 
			 Television 1 Unknown Callers campaign 50,199.50

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many special advisers were employed in his Department at each pay band on 30 November 2008; and what his Department's total expenditure on special advisers was in 2007-08.

Paul Goggins: The Government are committed to publishing an annual list detailing the number and costs of special advisers. Information for 2007-08 was published by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 22 July 2008,  Official Report, columns 99-102WS.

Departmental Official Hospitality

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent on  (a) departmental Christmas parties and  (b) staff entertainment in the last three years.

Shaun Woodward: The Northern Ireland Office does not allocate official funds for departmental Christmas parties.
	Information on departmental expenditure specifically on staff entertainment could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Expenditure on entertainment is set out in accordance with the principles of Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety.

Departmental Official Hospitality

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland with reference to the answer of 24 November 2008,  Official Report, column 881W, on departmental hospitality, how much was spent by his Department's  (a) agencies and  (b) non-departmental public bodies on hosting events in the last 12 months.

Shaun Woodward: My Department's agencies spent 24,238 on hosting events in the last 12 months.
	Information for the Northern Ireland Office's executive non-departmental bodies is an operational matter for each of the bodies, who operate independently of Government. I would encourage the hon. Member to write to the respective chief executives. Details of the NIO's non-departmental public bodies can be found in the NIO 2008 Departmental Report:
	http://www.nio.gov.uk/northem_ireland_office_departmental_report_2008.pdf.
	All expenditure has to be incurred in accordance with the principles of Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety.

Departmental Official Hospitality

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland with reference to the answer of 24 November 2008,  Official Report, column 881W, on departmental hospitality, which suppliers were contracted by  (a) his Department,  (b) its agencies and  (c) non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department in connection with events hosted in the last 12 months.

Shaun Woodward: For the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) and its agencies, it would only be possible to impart a full listing of all suppliers who provided goods and services in connection with hosting events, at disproportionate cost.
	Information for the NIO's executive non-departmental bodies is an operational matter for each of the bodies, who operate independently of Government. I would encourage the hon. Member to write to the respective chief executives.
	Details of the NIO's non-departmental public bodies can be found in the NIO 2008 Departmental Report:
	http://www.nio.gov.uk/northern_ireland_office_departmental_report_2008.pdf.

Departmental Official Visits

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent on his transport on official visits in the last 12 months.

Shaun Woodward: Information on travel by the Secretary of State on official visits is not recorded separately from travel for normal ministerial duties, and to provide this breakdown could only be done so at disproportionate cost.
	All ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

Departmental Pay

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make it his policy to ensure that those temporary and permanent employees at the same grade in his Department who are paid at an hourly rate are paid at the same rate.

Shaun Woodward: All Northern Ireland Office (NIO) employees are paid on NIO pay scales in accordance with NIO terms and conditions, regardless of whether they are temporarily or permanently employed.

Departmental Television

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland with reference to the answer of 24 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 885-6W, on television, from which suppliers his Department has purchased televisions in the last 12 months.

Shaun Woodward: All television purchases in the last 12 months were made from suppliers on approved contracts for electrical supplies in line with procurement guidelines.

Departmental Temporary Employment

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland with reference to the answer of 28 October 2008,  Official Report, column 796W, on departmental temporary employment, how many staff were recruited through each company in each year; and for how long on average staff recruited through these companies worked for the Department in each year.

Paul Goggins: Information on the number of temporary agency staff recruited through each company and the average length of time of employment for each person is not centrally held by the department.
	These details could be ascertained only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Vehicles

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland with reference to the answer of 24 November 2008,  Official Report, column 883W, on departmental vehicles, how many vehicles were owned by the Department in each year.

Shaun Woodward: The Northern Ireland Office excluding its agencies and executive non-departmental bodies owned six vehicles in each of the years 2003-04 to 2006-07 and three vehicles in 2007-08.

Inquiries

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which legal firms have worked on the Robert Hamill Inquiry; for what periods; who each firm represented; how much his Department has spent on legal fees related to the Inquiry; how much has been spent on the Inquiry in each month since it was established; and when the Inquiry is expected to report.

Shaun Woodward: I am advised by the Robert Hamill Inquiry that the following legal firms have worked on it.
	
		
			  Legal firm  Period of engagement  Representation 
			 P. J. McGrory July 2004 to date Hamill family (Interested Party) 
			 Eliott Duffy Garrett June 2008 Legal services to the inquiry in relation to litigation conducted in Northern Ireland only 
		
	
	In accordance with the Robert Hamill Inquiry's published funding protocol, witnesses to the inquiry are also entitled to reasonable legal advice at the inquiry's expense and a number of firms have represented witnesses.
	
		
			  Legal firm  Period of engagement 
			 Arthur J. Downey February 2006 to date 
			 Edwards and Co. June 2006 to date 
			 Emmet J. Kelly Solicitors March 2006 to date 
			 Gerard Maguire Solicitors May 2006 to date 
			 Gus Campbell Solicitors February 2006 to date 
			 John P. Hagan Solicitors January 2008 to date 
			 Richard Monteith January 2006 to date 
			 O'Connor and Moriarty Solicitors November 2006 to date 
			 Russell Jones Walker Solicitors January 2007 to date 
			 Hewitt and Gilpin March 2006 
			 Madden and Finucane March to May 2006 
			 G. R. Ingram April 2006 to June 2008 
			 Holmes and Moffitt May 2006 to November 2008 
			 Rafferty and Co. June to November 2006 
			 Kevin R. Winters June to October 2006 
			 Bogue and McNulty March to July 2006 
			 MSC Daly (formerly Brangham Bagnall and Co.) November 2006 
			 John J. Rice and Co. January to August 2008 
		
	
	Regarding the naming of the participants in the inquiry who these firms represent, the inquiry has not yet concluded the anonymity process. The inquiry is still receiving fresh and renewed applications on article 2 and medical grounds. It has an ongoing duty of care to all witnesses and cannot therefore give the names out at present. Once a witness has given their evidence or had their statement read out at the oral hearings, their name will be in the public domain. This is not the current position.
	This schedule excludes witnesses who, subject to the inquiry's prior approval, will be granted two hours of legal advice and assistance prior to them giving oral evidence but no legal representation at the oral hearings. These costs have not yet been incurred.
	The total cost incurred by the Robert Hamill Inquiry for legal fees is 7.57 million.
	The monthly spend of the inquiry is as follows:
	
		
			  Total resource 
			  000 
			   2008-09  2007-08  2006-07  2005-06  2004-05 
			 April 462 290 137 109  
			 May 565 327 245 103  
			 June 622 187 466 343  
			 July 657 244 147 96  
			 August 493 450 805 565  
			 September 338 203 -48 188  
			 October 524 238 1,791 353 1 
			 November 810 340 684 246 38 
			 December  345 510 178 30 
			 January  329 1,094 206 83 
			 February  362 -132 274 75 
			 March  1,131 489 747 182 
			 Total 4,471 4,446 6,187 3,408 410 
		
	
	
		
			  Total  capital 
			  000 
			   2008-09  2007-08  2006-07  2005-06  2004-05 
			 April 0 0 0 1  
			 May 7 0 0 10  
			 June 3 0 5 9  
			 July 31 0 0 -4  
			 August 3 0 0 59  
			 September 1 12 0 0  
			 October 0 0 0 0 0 
			 November 1 0 0 0 0 
			 December  31 1 0 0 
			 January  1 0 3 0 
			 February  0 0 0 31 
			 March  0 0 0 2 
			 Total 47 44 6 77 33 
		
	
	The inquiry is expected to report by 31 August 2010.

Inquiries

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which legal firms have worked on the Rosemary Nelson Inquiry; for what periods; who each firm represented; how much his Department has spent on legal fees for the inquiry; how much has been spent on the inquiry in each month since it was established; and when the inquiry is expected to report.

Shaun Woodward: I am advised by the Rosemary Nelson Inquiry that the following legal firms have worked on it:
	
		
			  Legal firm  Period of engagement  Representation 
			 Eversheds LLP May 2005 to date Witness statement takers to the Inquiry 
			 Cleaver Fulton Rankin, Solicitors March 2006 to date Legal advice and services 
			 Treasury Solicitors March 2005 to date Legal advice and services 
			 P J McGrory and Co, Solicitors and Advocates September 2005 to date Paul Nelson (Full Participant) 
			 O'Hare Solicitors December 2005 to date Mrs Sheila Magee and family (Full Participant) 
		
	
	In accordance with the Rosemary Nelson Inquiry's published funding protocol, witnesses to the inquiry are also entitled to legal advice at the inquiry's expense and the following of firms have represented witnesses:
	
		
			  Legal firm  Period of engagement 
			 Anderson Kill and Ohck PC Mar 2007 to July 2007 
			 Bindman and Partners June 2006 to date 
			 MSC Daly Solicitors August 2008 to date 
			 Conor Downey and Co, Solicitors August 2008 to date 
			 P Drinan, Solicitor March 2008 to date 
			 Edwards and Co, Solicitors October 2006 to date 
			 Greg O'Neill, Solicitors December 2007 
			 G R Ingram and Co, Solicitors August 2006 to date 
			 McBurney and Company, Solicitors October 2006 to date 
			 McCartan Turkington Breen, Solicitors November 2007 to date 
			 MacDermott and McGurk, Solicitors June 2007 to October 2007 
			 McElhone and Co Solicitors April 2007 to date 
			 Madden and Finucane, Solicitors January 2008 
			 Millar McCall Wylie, Solicitors May 2008 to date 
			 Kevin R Winters and Co, Solicitors June 2006 to date 
		
	
	Some of these firms have represented only anonymous witnesses, some have represented only witnesses seen in public, and some have represented both. For security (to preserve anonymity) and public interest reasons (not all the witnesses of either type have yet been called to give evidence) it is not felt appropriate to release even the names of the 'public' witnesses before the end of the hearings.
	The total cost incurred by the Rosemary Nelson Inquiry for legal fees is 12.57 million.
	The monthly spend of the inquiry is as follows:
	
		
			  Total Resource (000) 
			   2008-09  2007-08  2006-07  2005-06  2004-05 
			 April 348 751 -114 48  
			 May 2,349 596 346 152  
			 June 1,127 622 1,325 443  
			 July 1,271 1,480 470 4  
			 August 863 686 1,337 314  
			 September 1,042 412 669 166  
			 October 1,709 1,085 -180 318  
			 November 1,334 1,238 673 447 38 
			 December  53 399 69 30 
			 January  1,158 1,731 484 46 
			 February  789 2,357 234 121 
			 March  1,308 414 743 283 
			 Total 10,043 10,178 9,427 3,424 518 
		
	
	
		
			  Total capital (000) 
			   2008-09  2007-08  2006-07  2005-06  2004-05 
			 April -2 4 -2 -  
			 May 9 6 1 0  
			 June 0 12 0 80  
			 July 0 -5 0 -80  
			 August 0 10 199 76  
			 September 5 -1 5 0  
			 October 13 19 0 21 0 
			 November -13 7 204 1 0 
			 December  12 440 0 0 
			 January  -19 0 0 0 
			 February  16 145 1 31 
			 March  33 -83 2 3 
			 Total 12 94 909 102 34 
		
	
	The inquiry is expected to report by March 2010.

Mental Health

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the recommendations relevant to his Department's policy responsibilities made in the Foresight report on Mental Capacity and Well-Being; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: The Northern Ireland Office welcomes the Foresight report and will be considering it with a view to taking up any relevant findings.
	Part of that process will involve an assessment of what the report might mean for the Department's policies on absence management, flexible working and learning and development.

Reoffenders

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many individuals there are in Northern Ireland who were released under the early release scheme in 1998 and following re-arrest or conviction are now in prison.

Paul Goggins: Of the 450 persons released 'early' on their sentences under the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998, available information indicates that 13 persons are currently in prison following re-arrest and conviction. Of the 13, one is in prison in England and another is in prison in the Republic of Ireland. In addition a further person is in prison in Northern Ireland for breach of licence without having been convicted of a further offence and another is in prison in Northern Ireland on remand for alleged further offending.

Sexual Offences: Registration

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were on the sex offenders' register in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

Paul Goggins: The number of sex offenders in Northern Ireland subject to the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 was as follows:
	
		
			  As at 31 March each year  Number 
			 2008 774 
			 2007 670 
			 2006 620 
			 2005 544 
		
	
	The majority of persons who come under the notification requirements are subject to a notification period of five years or more and the annual increase largely reflects the number of new convictions.
	A breakdown of figures for sex offenders subject to the notification requirements was not recorded on an annual basis until 2005. I am not, therefore, able to provide the information requested for 2004.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

African Horse Sickness

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether his Department provides compensation to owners of horses infected with African horse sickness which are destroyed by his Department's veterinary surgeons to prevent further infection.

Jane Kennedy: In the event of an outbreak of African horse sickness, the Animal Health Act 1981 provides for compensation to be paid for equines slaughtered under the Act where they are infected or suspected of being infected with the disease. DEFRA is committed to discussing with the equine industry the issue of compensation, including the appropriate level.
	Where the affected equine has been imported and slaughtered under the Animals and Animals Products (Import and Export) (England) Regulations 2006, there is no duty under the regulations to pay compensation.

Agriculture: Animal Welfare

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much his Department has allocated to support sustainable livestock production in 2008-09.

Jane Kennedy: Support aimed at improving the competitiveness of the livestock industry is available under Axis 1 of Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE). Some 249 million will be spent in total on Axis 1 over the period 2007-13, and a minimum of 107 million out of that total will be specifically devoted to the sustainable livestock industry. In 2008-09 the minimum allocated to the livestock sector is 23 million.
	Livestock producers also will benefit from both a proportion of the 1.5 billion that is paid annually to English farmers under the Single Payment Scheme and the 3.2 billion that has been allocated for agri-environmental schemes which operate under Axis 2 of the RDPE over the period 2007-13.

Agriculture: Subsidies

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what estimate his Department has made of unspent funds under the single payment scheme; and what plans he has to allocate this funding for Article 68 measures;
	(2)  what plans his Department has to allocate funding under Article 68 measures under the Common Agricultural Policy.

Jane Kennedy: The difference between payments to date under the 2007 Single Payment Scheme and the theoretical maximum is in the region of 50 million, largely as a result of farmers not claiming against all of their entitlements. No decisions have been made to date on the use of 'Article 68' measures.

Agriculture: Subsidies

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his policy is on the EU Common Agricultural Policy Health Check; and when he expects full decoupling to be achieved.

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to the answer of 12 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 1222-6W, on the Common Agricultural Policy, what recent assessment he has made of progress on decoupling as a result of the decisions made in the CAP Health Check.

Jane Kennedy: I refer to the written statement made to Parliament on 25 November by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State (Hilary Benn) about the outcome of the CAP health check negotiations. We believe that the health check will take the level of decoupled farm payments from 89 per cent. to 96 per cent. by 2013, although we estimate that the use of national envelopes could reduce that amount by up to 2.7 per cent., depending on how member states choose to implement them. The Government will continue to press in the EU for full decoupling of all farm payments.

Agriculture: Subsidies

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what assessment his Department has made of progress towards meeting the Rural Payments Agency's target of administering 75 per cent. of single farm payments to farmers in England by the end of January;
	(2)  what percentage of farmers in England have received their single farm payments for 2008.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 16 December 2008
	I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement that I made on 17 December 2008,  Official Report, column 120WS.

Agriculture: Subsidies

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of the 2007-08 budget for the Common Agricultural Policy was allocated to the 10 recipients who received the most in payments under the policy.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 16 December 2008
	The percentage of the 2007-08 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget allocated to the 10 recipients in England who received the most in payments under the policy was 1.1 per cent.

Agriculture: Subsidies

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many demands to repay overpayments have been made against single farm payment scheme claimants in each of the last three years; and how many repayments have been made.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 18 December 2008
	 Of the Single Payment Scheme (SPS) claims examined by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) to date 6,557 overpayments invoices have been issued against SPS claimants broken down as follows for each of the last three years.
	
		
			  SPS scheme year  Invoices issued 
			 2005 3,893 
			 2006 2,248 
			 2007 416 
		
	
	RPA has received repayments from 1,610 customers either in full, as part of a repayment agreement or as a partial interception of a claim.

Agriculture: Subsidies

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the  (a) mean,  (b) median , (c) highest and  (d) lowest demand has been to repay overpayments made against single farm payment claimants in each of the last three years.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 18 December 2008
	 Of the Single Payment Scheme (SPS) claims examined to date the average, median, highest and lowest demand to repay overpayments made against SPS claimants in each of the last three scheme years are:
	
		
			   Scheme year 
			   2005  2006  2007 
			 Average 4,292.46 4,339.64 2,804.88 
			 Median 802.74 1,040.43 922.21 
			 Highest 738,198.25 649,138.33 117,493.20 
			 Lowest 68.21 67.95 252.29

Agriculture: Subsidies

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total amount received is as a result of overpayment claims for the single payment scheme in each of the last three years.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 18 December 2008
	To date we have received the following amounts as a result of overpayment claims, for each of the last three years:
	
		
			  SPS scheme year  Value () 
			 2005 9,372,627.72 
			 2006 4,046,321.80 
			 2007 158,718.75 
			 Total 13,577,668.27

Agriculture: Subsidies

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reasons reclaims of single farm payment overpayments were made in the latest period for which figures are available.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 18 December 2008
	 The Rural Payments Agency is obliged to recover overpayments. The reasons for these Single Payment Scheme (SPS) overpayments include entitlement correction worksome of which claimants asked us to carry out, partial paymentswhich were made in the 2005 and 2006 SPS scheme years and where the final claim value once validation is completed is now less than the amount paid and penalties.
	Penalties can be applied to SPS applications for several reasons; submission of an application after the deadline, inaccuracies in an application, if a farmer does not meet cross compliance standards, or if they apply, set aside management rules. The size of the penalty will depend on the problem found. For example the size of a land penalty will depend on the amount of invalid land claimed. The size of a late submission penalty will depend on the number of days after the deadline on which an application was received.

Agriculture: Subsidies

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many Single Payment Scheme payments for 2008 have been made to people in Morecambe and Lunesdale constituency; and what percentage of farmers in that constituency have received payment.

Jane Kennedy: Detailed analysis of Single Payment Scheme (SPS) payments by constituency is not available.
	From April 2009, in accordance with EC Commission Regulation 259/2008, SPS payment details will be available on the UK CAP payments website for payments made between 16 October 2007 and 15 October 2008, which is the EU financial year. Subsequent scheme payments will be published on this website each April, together with all other common agricultural policy payments made.

Animal Welfare: Codes of Practice

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which codes of conduct to be issued under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 the Government is currently working on; and which bodies have been appointed to advise on each code.  [Official Report, 9 February 2009, Vol. 487, c. 9MC.]

Jane Kennedy: DEFRA is currently consulting on three draft codes of practice to be made under the Animal Welfare Act 2006cats, dogs and equines. We are also proposing to draft codes on the private keeping of primates and on the rearing of gamebirds for sporting purposes.
	DEFRA has had the assistance and co-operation of the following stakeholders in the preparation of these codes:
	Cat: British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Companion Animal Welfare Council, Feline Advisory Bureau, Pet Care Trust, Peoples Dispensary for Sick Animals, Pet Food Manufacturers Association, Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and an independent veterinary adviser. Representatives from the Scottish Executive and the Welsh Assembly Government acted as observers.
	Dog: Companion Animal Welfare Council, Blue Cross, Dogs Trust, Kennel Club, Pet Care Trust, Pet Food Manufacturers Association, Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and an independent veterinary adviser. Representatives from the Scottish Executive and the National Assembly for Wales acted as observers.
	Equine: DEFRA is consulting on a similar code of practice prepared by the Welsh Assembly Government. This code was prepared by Welsh Assembly Government in consultation with a number of horse interest bodies.
	Primates: Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and a combination of animal keepers, dealers, with an interest in primates. Representatives from the Scottish Executive and the Welsh Assembly Government will act as observers.
	Gamebirds: Animal Health, British Association for Sport Shooting, Countryside Alliance, Country Landowners Association, Game Conservancy Trust, Game Farmers Association, League Against Cruel Sports, National Gamekeepers Association, Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and two independent advisers. Representatives from the Scottish Executive and the Welsh Assembly Government will act as observers.

Bluetongue Disease

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research his Department has evaluated on the transmission of bluetongue disease during animal transit; and what measures he has put in place to inhibit the transmission of the disease.

Jane Kennedy: DEFRA has funded research on bluetongue which includes:
	Studies on midge vectors, including surveys of abundance and seasonality, and biting rates.
	Studies on use of insecticides to control vectors during transport, and the usefulness of housing in protecting livestock.
	This research was used to define vector-free periods, and to provide advice about the conditions of movement licences regarding timing of movements and vector control.
	This work was also used to contribute to the development of a model of bluetongue disease spread within and between farms. Collaborative work between the Meteorological Office and the Institute for Animal Health has resulted in tools to predict vector-borne disease incursions into the UK. This is currently being developed further.
	The default control measures set out in legislation to combat bluetongue are aimed at preventing disease spread (through for example restriction of animal movement and through vector mitigation measures). Broadly, the controls can be summarised as follows:
	Veterinary investigation on suspect premises, and restrictions which includes a ban on movement of susceptible animals on and off the premises.
	On confirmation that bluetongue virus is circulating, restrictions remain in place and are extended to a zone of 20 km radius around the infected premises (IP).
	Wider zone(s) must also be declared setting a protection zone and a surveillance zone (of at least 150 km radius around an IP).
	Movement of susceptible animals out of these zones are banned except under licence (although animals can move freely within those zones) and we must implement surveillance programmes.
	There is some flexibility in demarcating the zones (with Commission agreement), but various factors such as local geography must be taken into account.
	We have an agreed policy for controlling incursions of any new serotypes under the existing UK Bluetongue Control Strategy. This strategy was reviewed recently in light of this year's experience and to address risk from other serotypes, and was published on the DEFRA website on 1 December.
	Details of the Control Strategy are currently available on the DEFRA website. Copies will also be placed in the House Library.
	DEFRA continues to urge industry to consider the risks and check the health and vaccination status of animals when sourcing any animals, from within the UK or abroad.

Bluetongue Disease

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether his Department provides compensation to farmers whose cattle have been destroyed by his Department's veterinary surgeons following the discovery of bluetongue.

Jane Kennedy: Compensation is payable for all animals which are compulsorily slaughtered for the purposes of disease control under the powers provided for in the Animal Health Act 1981 and the Bluetongue Regulations 2008. Compensation is paid under the Bluetongue (Compensation) Order 2007, at the market value of animals immediately before they are slaughtered.
	However, compensation is not payable when imported animals are slaughtered under the powers provided for in the Animals and Animal Products (Import and Export) (England) Regulations 2006.
	Imported animals have been culled under these powers on a number of occasions where the veterinary risk assessment warranted this, most recently with BTV1 infected animals in Lancashire. Compensation is not payable under these circumstances.

Bluetongue Disease: Vaccination

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what quantities of vaccine for the  (a) BTV1 and  (b) BTV6 strains of bluetongue disease are (i) available and (ii) on order.

Jane Kennedy: No vaccines against Bluetongue serotypes 1 or 6 are currently authorised for use in the UK.
	DEFRA is in discussion with existing manufacturers of BTV1 vaccine, and companies with BTV1 vaccine in development, to encourage applications to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate for provisional marketing authorisations (PMAs). If vaccine should be required, the early granting of PMAs will help supply to the market to be achieved more quickly. DEFRA has not placed orders for vaccine against serotypes 1 or 6. To our knowledge, there are no BTV-6 vaccines yet in development.
	We have an agreed policy for controlling incursions of any new serotypes under the existing UK Bluetongue Control Strategy. This strategy was reviewed recently in light of this year's experience and to address risk from other serotypes, and was published on the DEFRA website on 1 December.
	DEFRA also continues to urge industry to consider the risks and check the health and vaccination status of animals when sourcing any animals, from within the UK or abroad.

Bluetongue Disease: Vaccination

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the success rate of bluetongue vaccination in Gloucestershire was; how many strains of bluetongue virus have been identified; what evidence there is on the origin of each strain; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: Bluetongue is caused by a virus within the Orbivirus genus of the family Reorvirades. At present 24 distinct serotypes have been identified as a result of serum neutralisation tests.
	Bluetongue was first described in South Africa but has since been recognised in most countries in the tropics and sub-tropics. Since 1999 there have been widespread outbreaks of Bluetongue in Greece, Italy, Corsica (France) and the Balearic Islands (Spain). Cases also occurred in Europe in Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Kosovo and Yugoslavia. These cases have been well north and west of the disease's previous normal distribution. It appears that the virus has spread from both Turkey and North Africa.
	Bluetongue serotype 8 (BTV-8) was first found in Western Europe when it was detected in the Netherlands in summer 2006, after which it spread to Belgium, Luxembourg, Western Germany and parts of North East France in the same year. In 2007, Northern Europe experienced a dramatic increase of new cases in all existing infected areas, and cases numbered into the many tens of thousands as disease steadily spread across Europe.
	Uptake of vaccine has varied by region in England and Wales and over time. Sales data from the supply chain suggests that enough vaccine has been sold across the whole of England in 2008 to vaccinate around 60 per cent. of susceptible animals. However, we cannot give accurate county specific data.

Bovine Tuberculosis

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many cattle have been slaughtered following tuberculosis infection in each of the last five years for which figures are available, broken down by county; what progress his Department's TB eradication group has made; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The information is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Total animals slaughtered under bovine TB control measures in England 
			   2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			 Avon 523 567 591 325 436 
			 Bedfordshire 0 0 0 2 0 
			 Berkshire 4 3 2 1 7 
			 Buckinghamshire 43 1 11 21 100 
			 Cambridgeshire 2 0 0 2 0 
			 Cheshire 874 425 248 149 247 
			 Cleveland 2 1 0 4 1 
			 Cornwall 2,494 2,415 3,490 1,697 2,394 
			 Cumbria 275 510 168 114 29 
			 Derbyshire 356 321 608 463 427 
			 Devon 2,767 4,758 6,660 4,471 5,388 
			 Dorset 408 413 450 336 657 
			 Durham 5 3 3 0 11 
			 East Sussex 31 48 58 125 43 
			 Essex 1 0 0 1 0 
			 Gloucestershire 1,926 1,287 2,426 1,506 1,666 
			 Greater LondonEast 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Greater LondonSouth East 0 2 0 0 0 
			 Greater Manchester 2 13 3 3 14 
			 Hampshire 13 17 21 30 94 
			 Hereford and Worcestershire 2,680 2,686 3,698 2,823 2,674 
			 Hertfordshire 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Humberside 1 9 5 27 32 
			 Isle of Wight 1 6 0 0 0 
			 Isles of Scilly 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Kent 4 1 3 10 90 
			 Lancashire 9 4 45 19 44 
			 Leicestershire 82 104 44 90 179 
			 Lincolnshire 4 11 66 23 34 
			 Merseyside 0 0 20 3 0 
			 Norfolk 1 2 0 1 53 
			 North Yorkshire (48) 22 168 69 8 90 
			 North Yorkshire (50) 1 1 2 3 4 
			 Northamptonshire 19 18 26 45 88 
			 Northumberland 27 11 31 28 12 
			 Nottinghamshire 1 17 1 5 4 
			 Oxfordshire 11 15 16 20 149 
			 Shropshire 473 757 856 877 1,128 
			 Somerset 1,051 932 965 915 1,314 
			 South Yorkshire 1 1 0 1 1 
			 Staffordshire 1,205 626 1,297 1,051 1,201 
			 Suffolk 0 2 0 13 14 
			 Surrey 2 10 1 0 5 
			 Tyne  Wear 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Warwickshire 34 47 129 89 154 
			 West Midlands 1 0 1 2 34 
			 West Sussex 15 10 3 11 12 
			 West Yorkshire 0 4 5 3 129 
			 Wiltshire 1,180 1,080 1,113 660 835 
			 Total 17,551 17,306 23,135 16,007 19,794 
		
	
	Data are available from 2003 to 2007. There is no full county breakdown available for this year.
	The TB Eradication Group for England has met twice since the Secretary of State announced the establishment of the group on 3 November. The Group has discussed its work programme and priorities; the scientific evidence provided to the Secretary of State which formed part of the basis for his decision on badger culling; and the possible content of an eradication plan (including a discussion with the European Commission). The Group has also considered proposals for a revised policy on inconclusive reactors.
	The TB Eradication Group's remit includes reviewing the current TB strategy and control measures and developing a plan for reducing the incidence of bovine TB in cattle in England. It will make recommendations to the Secretary of State on the disease and its eradication.

Cereals

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the tonnage of grain for  (a) human consumption and  (b) animal consumption was held in the UK on (i) 1 January, (ii) 1 March, (iii) 1 May, (iv) 1 July, (v) 1 September and (vi) 1 November in the last year for which figures are available.

Jane Kennedy: Grain stocks can be held at various points of the supply chain including farm stores, at ports, various processing facilities and at merchant and distribution stores.
	Data on stocks held by the main processors, flour millers and maltsters, brewers and distillers are collected and published each month and can be accessed via the following link:
	https://statistics.defra.gov.uk/esg/statnot/statnot.htm.

Compost

Michael Clapham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the evidential basis is for the Environment Agency's recommendation that a 250 metre buffer zone between a windrow composting site and the nearest residential dwelling is adequate for the protection of public health; and whether the same size of buffer zone applies where the composting process includes food waste.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 18 December 2008
	The Environment Agency published a policy statement on composting and the potential health effects from bioaerosols produced as a result of the composting process in 2001. This set out its requirement for site specific bioaerosol risk assessments (for proposed composting facilities within 250 metres of dwellings or workplaces). The figure represents a precautionary measure and the point at which a site specific bio-aerosol risk assessment is required. The policy applies to all composting activities irrespective of waste type. Kitchen food waste cannot be composted in open windrows.
	Since then, further work in this area has been undertaken by various parties. This has reiterated that there is insufficient information to determine the risk to human health from bioaerosols from composting. It has recommended that the trigger distance remain in place. This is a precautionary approach, based on research which has shown that bioaerosols should reduce to background levels within 250m. In 2007 the Environment Agency issued a revised policy statement which re-affirmed the need for site specific bioaerosol risk assessments to be carried out.

Compost

Michael Clapham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions the Environment Agency has had with the Health and Safety Executive on its 250 metre buffer zone between windrow composting sites and the nearest residential dwellings.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 18 December 2008
	The Environment Agency continues to work closely with the Health and Safety Executive on bioaerosols from composting sites. For example, the Environment Agency has recently published a science report based on work carried out by the Health and Safety Laboratory, Bioaerosols in waste composting: deriving source terms and characterising profiles (HSL labs). Published December 2008 as Science report SC040021/SR2.

Compost

Michael Clapham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the Environment Agency has carried out wind turbulence modelling of the dispersion of bioaerosols in formulating its recommendations on the width of the buffer zone required between a windrow composting site and the nearest residences in different topographical conditions.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 18 December 2008
	Following a further review of available research the Environment Agency maintained its precautionary approach in its policy statement published in October 2007.
	This requires bioaerosol risk assessments to take place if a proposed composting site is within 250 metres of dwellings or workplaces. Wind turbulence modelling has limited value for modelling dispersion of bioaerosols and was not used to formulate the position.
	However in addition to conducting its own further research with the Health and Safety Laboratory, the Environment Agency recognises the value that might be added by work carried out by others and has arranged for this work to be peer reviewed.

Compost

Michael Clapham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many composting sites have been closed in England because of the potential impact of  (a) bioaerosols,  (b) odours,  (c) environmental factors and  (d) other factors on the health of residents living nearby in each of the last three years.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 18 December 2008
	This information is not held centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Dangerous Dogs Act 1991: Prosecutions

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people were prosecuted for offences under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 in 2007.

Jane Kennedy: The number of people proceeded against at magistrates courts for offences under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, in England and Wales, during 2007 was 1,193.

Departmental Public Consultation

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much his Department has spent on the public consultations it has held in the last 24 months.

Huw Irranca-Davies: DEFRA consults on a wide range of issues which are varied in nature. The Department does not record centrally the estimated costs for each consultation it launches, therefore to attach a value would involve disproportionate cost.

Dolphins: Denmark

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the government of Denmark on the slaughter of dolphins in its territorial waters.

Huw Irranca-Davies: Under international law, it is primarily for individual countries to regulate the management and killing of small cetaceans (dolphins and porpoises) in their own waters. The British Government do, however, feel very strongly about the welfare issues raised through the hunting of small cetaceans. Furthermore, it recognises that the protection and conservation of such species is very limited, and that they continue to be hunted in many parts of the world, often at unsustainable levels.
	On 10 March 2008, my predecessor my hon. Friend for Chatham and Aylesford (Jonathan Shaw), was the keynote speaker at a seminar on commercial whaling held at the Danish Parliament buildings. The aim of the eventwhich was co-hosted by the British embassy and the Society for the Conservation of Marine Mammalswas to raise awareness among the Danish public of the cruel and unsustainable nature of the killing of cetaceans.
	DEFRA works within the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to sponsor resolutions that raise the profile of this issue, and to encourage the IWC to adopt a strong position in favour of the protection of small cetaceans.
	Please be assured that we will continue to raise these issues with Denmark directly, and in the IWC, at every appropriate opportunity.

Domestic: Waste Disposal

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Beckenham of 13 October 2008,  Official Report, column 923W, (Mrs. Lait) on domestic waste: waste disposal, how much funding has been given to each local authority from the Behaviour Change Local Fund; and on what date each payment was made.

Jane Kennedy: In response to a previous question from the hon. Gentleman, the hon. Member for Lewisham, Deptford (Joan Ruddock) arranged for a list of local authorities awarded funding to be placed in the House Library on 14 January 2008, as the list was quite lengthy. The position is unchanged as the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has not made any further payments since January 2008 from the Behaviour Change Local Fund.
	In respect of the timing of such payments, the requested data concerns the detailed operational activities of WRAP and is not therefore held by DEFRA. I understand that the chief executive of WRAP has offered to meet the hon. Gentleman to discuss any issues of concern to him and I would encourage him to take up that offer.

Domestic: Waste Disposal

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Beckenham (Mrs. Lait) of 13 October 2008,  Official Report, column 923W, on domestic waste: waste disposal, whether monies from the Behaviour Change Local Fund have been used to provide information about the case for alternate weekly collections.

Jane Kennedy: No monies from the Behaviour Change Local Fund have been used for this purpose.

Domestic: Waste Disposal

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to the answer of 22 July 2008,  Official Report, column 1010W, on domestic waste: waste disposal, what the  (a) title and  (b) date of publication of each item of guidance issued to local authorities on the use of fixed penalty notices in relation to household waste is.

Jane Kennedy: The titles and publication dates of the items of guidance requested are as follows:
	Fixed Penalty NoticesGuidance on the Fixed Penalty Notice Provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 and other legislation published in November 2006:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/localenv/legislation/cnea/fixedpenaltynotices.pdf
	Local environmental enforcementGuidance on the use of fixed penalty notices published in March 2007:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/localenv/legislation/cnea/fixed-penalty-guidance.pdf

Environment Protection

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what sites in England contaminated by activities during the second world war have yet to be cleaned up.

Jane Kennedy: Information on sites which qualify as contaminated land under part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 is held locally rather than nationally. This would include sites contaminated by activities during the second world war.
	Responsibility for identifying and dealing with contaminated land under part 2A lies with local authorities. All local authorities are required to have strategies in place detailing how they plan to investigate their areas to identify and deal with contaminated sites.

Farmers: Transport

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will review the cross-compliance rules on permission for farmers to travel on wet land, with particular reference to recent weather conditions; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: This summer saw unusually wet conditions and as a result DEFRA received requests from farmers for derogations to the cross compliance Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) standard prohibiting use of agricultural machinery on water logged soil. A derogation was granted which covered the period 10 September to 25 October 2008.
	As part of a wider review of GAEC standards which is being conducted in response to the CAP Health Check, and to improve the standards where possible, we are considering how we can give greater responsibility and flexibility to farmers to manage the risks to their soil, including from the use of machinery on water logged land. We expect to consult on any proposed changes in 2009.

Farms: Local Authorities

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of Sir Don Curry's report on the future of council-owned farms.

Jane Kennedy: The Government have long made clear their support for the continuation of the county farm system. I therefore welcome the recent paper by Sir Don Curry on The Importance of the County Farms Service to the Rural Economy and fully support Sir Don's views and his recommendations for preserving the future of local authority estates. Local authorities should be free to manage their smallholdings estates as they see fit because they are in the best position to make decisions in their areas in the interests of the communities they serve. Nevertheless, we recognise the important role of county farms and would urge local authorities to act on Sir Don's recommendations.

Farms: Local Authorities

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which local authorities have smallholdings; what the area is of each such smallholding; and what assessment he has made of each local authority's plans for its smallholdings.

Jane Kennedy: The following table shows the distribution and size of smallholding estates held by local authorities in England as at 31 March 2007 which is the latest readily available information.
	Local authorities should be free to manage their smallholdings estates as they see fit because they are in the best position to make decisions in the interests of the communities they serve. We therefore do not make assessments of each local authority's plans for its smallholdings.
	
		
			  Area of smallholdings land held by smallholdings authorities as at 31 March 2007 
			   Land let as smallholdings  Land held but not let as smallholdings  Total small- holdings land 
			  County/Unitary Authority  Hectares  Hectares  Hectares 
			 Bedfordshire 2,641 371 3,012 
			 Berkshire West 117  117 
			 Bournemouth 100 3 103 
			 Brighton and Hove 4,263 26 4,289 
			 Buckinghamshire 1,467 109 1,576 
			 Cambridgeshire 12,275 1,632 13,907 
			 Cheshire 3,920 212 4,132 
			 City of York 103 31 134 
			 Cornwall 4,461 109 4,570 
			 Cumbria 261 98 359 
			 Devon 4,146  4,146 
			 Dorset 2,792 54 2,846 
			 Durham 897 204 1,101 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 2,826 7 2,833 
			 East Sussex 43 21 64 
			 Essex 102 9 111 
			 Gloucestershire 3,491 9 3,500 
			 Hampshire 1,806 132 1,938 
			 Hartlepool 88  88 
			 Herefordshire 2,029 96 2,125 
			 Hertfordshire 1,944 93 2,037 
			 Lancashire 27 77 104 
			 Leicestershire 2,909 67 2,976 
			 Lincolnshire 8,156 21 8,177 
			 Medway 82  82 
			 Milton Keynes 447  447 
			 Norfolk 6,710 233 6,943 
			 Northamptonshire 335 1 336 
			 North Lincolnshire 424  424 
			 North Somerset 333  333 
			 Northumberland 337 7 344 
			 North Yorkshire 2,228 111 2,339 
			 Nottinghamshire 270 534 804 
			 Oxfordshire 381 19 400 
			 Peterborough 1,242 1 1,243 
			 Shropshire 714 25 739 
			 Slough 3  3 
			 Somerset 2,863 383 3,246 
			 South Gloucestershire 491 3 494 
			 Staffordshire 3,474 48 3,522 
			 Suffolk 5,157 286 5,443 
			 Surrey 854 157 1,011 
			 Swindon 828  828 
			 Thurrock 202  202 
			 Torbay 25 (1) 25 
			 Warrington 28 35 63 
			 Warwickshire 2,001 21 2,022 
			 West Sussex 304 59 363 
			 Wiltshire 2,404 27 2,431 
			 Worcestershire 1,602 54 1,656 
			 Total 94,603 5,385 99,988 
			 (1) The above information is taken from a table included in the 57 draft annual report to Parliament on statutory smallholdings.

Farms: Waste Disposal

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which procedures have to be followed to enable a farmer to remove waste dumped on his farmland; what the cost of those procedures to the farmer is; what estimate he has made of the average cost to farmers of applying such procedures; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: A farmer has a range of options for removing waste dumped illegally on his farmland. If the waste is posing an immediate threat to human health or the environment, he should contact the Environment Agency for advice. If the waste is of a non-hazardous nature, he must either remove the waste himself to a registered disposal site or contract a registered waste carrier to remove it for him. In both instances he should contact his local authority who may be able to offer support and advice. The exact cost of removal would depend on the nature and volume of waste deposited.
	I have recently corresponded or discussed this issue with a number of farming and other landowner organisations.

Flood Control

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what plans he has for the 20 million for flood defence expenditure announced in the pre-Budget report;
	(2)  what the evidential basis was for the statement in the pre-budget report that 27,000 homes will be protected from flooding with the help of the 20 million funding announced; and where those homes are located.

Huw Irranca-Davies: Following the Government's announcement that 20 million will be brought forward for flood defence schemes from 2010-11 to 2009-10, an estimated 27,405 households will benefit from new or improved flood risk protection a year earlier than planned.
	Funding will be allocated by the Environment Agency. The exact location of households benefiting will be dependent upon schemes passing the necessary feasibility studies and planning applications, as well as final approval for projects, which will be determined in February 2009. The Environment Agency has issued a list of schemes expected to be brought forward as a result. Copies of the list have been placed in the Library of the House.

Food Supply

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect of changes in  (a) nitrogen prices and  (b) levels of nitrogen supply on food production; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: Agricultural production is affected by a large number of factors and no specific assessment has been made of the impact of the changes in nitrogen prices and levels of supply.
	In October DEFRA published its first forecast of total income from farming for the UK for 2008. This took into account the impact on input costs of changes in nitrogen prices and usage. A revised forecast will be published at the end of January together with forecasts of farm incomes in England by farm type for 2008-09. These will also take into account the change in nitrogen prices between 2007-08 and 2008-09.
	A fuller economic analysis of the agriculture industry and of commodity production and supply, reflecting the full range of factors impacting on the sector, will be published in Agriculture in the United Kingdom in March 2009.

Food: Contamination

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research his Department has  (a) commissioned and  (b) funded into the effect of animal disease on food security in the last 12 months.

Jane Kennedy: DEFRA has not commissioned/funded any work specifically into the effect of animal disease on food security. However, we continue to fund research, to the value of 1.6 million annually, on a number of major endemic diseases of livestock, including cattle, sheep, pig and poultry, which seriously affect or are a serious potential threat to livestock production and thus food security. In addition, there is a programme of research, costing in the region of 8 million annually, on exotic diseases aimed at protecting UK livestock from exotic disease incursions.
	One of the ways in which we are able to minimise the effects of animal disease on UK food security is by having a supply of livestock products from a wide range of countries, including the UK, which effectively spreads the risk. Disease outbreaks in the UK or elsewhere in the world affecting our trading partners should prompt a swift response in trade flows as the market seeks to offset the impacts of any supply disruption.

Food: Labelling

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his policy is on advertisements for products produced with meat from EU countries other than Britain carrying the British tractor assured label; and what guidance he has issued to food retailers on the use of the label on foodstuffs produced elsewhere in the EU.

Jane Kennedy: The Red Tractor scheme is operated by Assured Food Standards, a company that is owned by representatives of the entire food chain from farmers to retailers. As a privately owned scheme it is the responsibility of Assured Food Standards to satisfy itself that it complies with food law, which makes it an offence to mislead the consumer as to the origin of food.

Game: Birds

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether he plans to reduce the level of intensive rearing and farming of game birds; and what advice he has received from the Farm Animal Welfare Council on this matter.

Jane Kennedy: DEFRA is in the process of setting up a working group to draft a code of practice on the rearing of game birds for sport shooting.
	The Farm Animal Welfare Council recently published its opinion on the welfare of farmed game birds containing their recommendations on certain management practices. The opinion will guide the working group in the drafting of a code of practice.

Game: Gun Sports

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his Department's policy is on gamebird shooting; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The Government's policies towards the game bird industry are consistent with the 2005 rural manifesto which stated that
	We will work with the relevant bodies to ensure that country sports are protected while ensuring high standards of environment protection, animal welfare and safety.
	We have no plans to restrict the sport of shooting.

Horse Racing

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to the answer of 26 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 2187-8W, on horse racing, if he will make it his policy to gather statistics on thoroughbred fatalities on British racecourses.

Jane Kennedy: We have no plans to gather such statistics.

Horse Racing

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to the answer of 26 November 2008,  Official Report, column 2188W, on horse racing, if he will make an annual assessment of the welfare issues arising from surplus breeding of race horses.

Jane Kennedy: We have no plans to make such an assessment.

Horse Racing

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to the answer of 26 November 2008,  Official Report, column 2188W, on horse racing, what assessment he has made of the levels of competence of veterinary surgeons charged with destroying injured horses on British racecourses.

Jane Kennedy: We have made no such assessment. However, any veterinary surgeon registered by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons is obliged to follow a guide to professional conduct. This includes the requirement that they (i) keep their skills and knowledge up to date (ii) keep within their own areas of competence save for the requirement to provide emergency first aid and (iii) continue their professional education by keeping up to date with the general developments in veterinary science, particularly in their area of professional activity.

Horses: Electronic Tagging

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether his Department has performed a cost/benefit analysis on the EU requirement for foals born after 1 July 2009 to be identified by a microchip linked to a horse passport; and what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of implementing such a requirement in the first 12 months of its operation.

Jane Kennedy: DEFRA is currently consulting on the implementation of Commission Regulation (EC) 504/2008 of 6 June 2008. The consultation document includes a draft Impact Assessment (IA) which estimates the costs and benefits of the new legislation.
	The consultation document and draft IA can be found on the DEFRA website.

Incinerators

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Local Government Association on alternatives to incineration; and what potential exists within private finance initiatives for localised waste solutions.

Jane Kennedy: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had no recent discussions with the Local Government Association on incineration. Private finance initiative waste infrastructure projects are initiated by the local authorities and are therefore always tailored to local circumstances.
	On 26 November, I met Paul Bettison, Chairman of the LGA environment board to discuss a number of issues concerned with waste and flood management.

Joint Waste Authorities

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many local authorities on average he expects to comprise each joint waste authority.

Jane Kennedy: There is no target or average for the number of local authorities expected to comprise each joint waste authority. The joint waste authority model is a voluntary option for local authorities who will need to decide whether or not such a model is appropriate for them.

Litter: Fixed Penalties

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will increase the penalties imposed for littering and fly-tipping on industrial and retail parks.

Jane Kennedy: We have no plans to increase the penalties for littering and fly-tipping on industrial and retail parks.

Livestock: Electronic Tagging

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what the estimated cost to  (a) farmers and  (b) the public purse of electronic identification of sheep is for its first year of operation; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the likely effects of electronic identification of sheep on  (a) hill farmers' incomes and  (b) management of upland ecosystems; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: A regulatory impact assessment has been produced for England, a copy of which is available on the DEFRA website. An updated version to take account of changes to Council Regulation 21/2004 that were negotiated over the summer and more detailed implementation options will accompany the consultation that is planned for the spring.

Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee Conference

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the speeches and presentations made by representatives of the Environment Agency at the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee Conference in November 2008.

Jane Kennedy: DEFRA does not hold a copy of the presentation made by the Environment Agency at the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee Conference.

Members: Correspondence

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he expects the Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the right hon. Member for Liverpool, Worcester (Jane Kennedy), who is responsible for Farming and the Environment to reply to the letters from the hon. Member for the Forest of Dean of 12 September and 26 November regarding surface water charges.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The matter is still under review and I will respond in full as soon as a final decision is taken.

Packaging

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether he plans to bring producers of  (a) packaging,  (b) chewing gum and  (c) cigarettes within the remit of regulations on producer responsibility.

Jane Kennedy: There are no plans to bring producers of chewing gum and cigarettes within the remit of regulations on producer responsibility.

Pet Travel Scheme

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many pet passports have been issued in each of the last three years.

Jane Kennedy: Animal Health have issued 60,000 blank certificates to veterinary practices in each of the last three years. We do not keep records of how many passports are issued by veterinary practices.

Poultry: Exports

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect on levels of UK poultry exports of the UK's avian influenza-free status; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The UK was able to resume trade in live poultry and poultry products with its European Union partners on 8 July last year. Subsequently, the UK achieved official international recognition of avian influenza freedom by the World Organisation for Animal Health on 20 November. We are currently working with our industry stakeholders to identify the key third country markets which need to be reopened and the best way to take negotiations forward in each case.

Recycling

Geoffrey Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the  (a) Environment Agency,  (b) Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee and  (c) Local Government Association on market conditions in the recycling sector.

Jane Kennedy: DEFRA has maintained close contact with a wide range of stakeholders to discuss the situation with regards to the markets for recyclable materials.
	Based on these discussions, our priorities are:
	to further promote waste minimisation;
	to maintain public confidence that recycling is worthwhile to ensure continuity of collection systems for recyclables;
	to focus on producing high quality marketable recyclables;
	to ensure any storage of recyclables do not undermine the environment or public health or the recyclability of those materials;
	where the traditional markets for recyclables have contracted, to encourage the most sustainable recovery and disposal optionsi.e. landfill as a last resort; and
	to avoid actions which exacerbate the situation while markets stabilise.
	Officials continue to work with the Environment Agency, the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee and the Local Government Association in order to monitor market developments.
	On 17 December I met representatives of the packaging industry.

Recycling: Exports

Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of recovered  (a) ferrous metal,  (b) non-ferrous metal,  (c) plastic,  (d) paper and cardboard,  (e) glass and  (f) wood was exported in 2007.

Jane Kennedy: The following table details the proportion of recovered ferrous metal, paper and board, and glass cullet that was exported from the UK in 2007. Figures for non-ferrous metal, plastic and wood are not currently available.
	
		
			  Exports as a proportion of recovery, UK, 2007 
			   Percentage 
			 Ferrous metal 50 
			 Paper and board 54 
			 Glass cullet 18

Recycling: Tyres

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department is taking to promote and increase the recycling of tyres.

Jane Kennedy: The Government have fully implemented the EU landfill directive which bans the disposal of whole and shredded used tyres in landfills and is therefore an important driver for tyre recycling.
	The Government working closely with industry have ensured that there is sufficient recycling and recovery capacity to handle the 48 million tyres produced annually. Recycling and recovery includes the use of baled tyres in certain construction projects and the use of tyre crumb in the manufacture of sports and safety surfaces. Used tyres are also utilised as a substitute fuel in cement kilns and pyrolysis plants.
	The DEFRA-funded Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) ran a successful tyre programme from 2005 to 2008. This led to the development of two publicly available standards for tyre shred and crumb and for tyre bales and the development of markets for their use.
	In addition the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) leads a Used Tyre Working Group which focuses on the re-use, recycling and recovery of used tyres. The group has a wide-ranging membership drawn from the tyre industry, the Government and WRAP.

Rural Payments Agency: ICT

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost was of the Rural Payments Agency's upgrade of its IT system to the Epsilon programme.

Jane Kennedy: The Epsilon IT changes were delivered at a cost of 8.56 million. This reflects costs over a 12-month lifecycle from design through to implementation.
	The core components in scope included:
	mandatory policy changes to allow accurate Single Payment Scheme 2008 payments;
	automated management of customer land transfer details;
	simplified management of customer entitlements;
	providing a unique point of access for customer documents.
	The cost includes design, build and delivery of a functional system but excludes wider business change costs.

Slaughterhouses

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the likely costs to  (a) farmers and  (b) abattoirs of the implementation of the EU regulations that require slaughterhouses to appoint an animal welfare officer; what assessment he has made of the effect of these regulations on the profitability of abattoirs; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The European Commission published proposals for a regulation on the protection of animals at the time of killing on 22 September 2008. This includes proposals to require the appointment of an Animal Welfare Officer in every abattoir over a minimum size. An EU impact assessment was published alongside the proposal and this is available on the European Commission website.
	A UK impact assessment is currently being prepared. This will consider the costs and benefits of the proposed regulation including the cost to farmers and abattoirs. The impact assessment will be included with the consultation document on the proposed regulation which will be published in early 2009. This will provide an opportunity for those affected by the proposed regulation to give their views and to comment on the assumptions used to assess its impact.

Sustainable Development Commission: Public Appointments

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what consideration he has given to the future chairmanship of the Sustainable Development Commission; and whether Sir Jonathan Porritt has indicated whether he would be willing to continue as chair beyond his term ending in July 2009.

Jane Kennedy: In July 2009, Sir Jonathon Porritt will complete his third term as chair of the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC). Under the Code of Practice published by the Commissioner for Public Appointments this is the maximum number of terms allowed for one individual in a body such as the SDC.
	As the sponsoring department for the SDC, DEFRA has begun the process of appointment of a new chair. This process is being managed in line with the Office for the Commissioner for Public Appointments guidelines in order to have a new chair appointed before the end of July 2009.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State (Hilary Benn) and I are grateful for the service that Sir Jonathan Porritt has given to the Commission since his appointment in 2000.

Tidal Power: River Severn

Martin Salter: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what consideration he has given to how the terms of the EU Habitats Directive could be met with respect to fish stocks if a Severn barrage were to be constructed.

Mike O'Brien: I have been asked to reply.
	The Severn Tidal Power Feasibility Study is considering a number of proposed electricity generation schemes, not barrages exclusively.
	Full consideration is being given to potential impacts of a tidal power scheme on migratory and estuarine fish. A strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is being undertaken, together with a strategic level habitats regulations assessment (HRA), the preliminary stage of which has already commenced. The HRA is being conducted under the terms of the habitats regulations, the instrument by which the habitats directive is translated into UK law. These assessments include all designated migratory fish species of the Severn estuary and relevant tributaries including the rivers Usk and Wye.
	Subject to internal review, preliminary studies on fish impacts and the preliminary HRA screening will be published in the new year, alongside public consultation on the scope of the strategic environmental assessment. Further studies are planned during 2009 and will be published later.

Veterinary Medicine

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will take steps to ensure that veterinary surgeons who are required to destroy injured thoroughbreds on racecourses as part of their duties  (a) have sufficient training and  (b) are periodically assessed to ensure that their standard of competence is maintained.

Jane Kennedy: DEFRA has no plans to ensure the competence of veterinary surgeons attending racecourses. Both the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the British Horseracing Authority have rules in place which address this concern.

Veterinary Medicine

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will take steps to require at least two means of humane despatch for an injured racehorse to be available immediately to the veterinary surgeon on duty at a racecourse.

Jane Kennedy: DEFRA has no plans to introduce such a requirement. However, the British Horseracing Authority require that when racehorses need to be humanely destroyed, that the horse is either shot with a silenced weapon or that chemical means are used. The choice of which method should be used is a matter of professional judgment for the veterinary surgeon.

Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he has to bring forward proposals to update the provisions of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966.

Jane Kennedy: There are currently no plans to update or replace the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 (VSA).

Waste Disposal

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department is taking to assist local authorities in the disposal of waste stored in warehouses and other storage facilities.

Jane Kennedy: With the aim of helping local authorities, DEFRA is taking the following steps:
	(i) supporting the Environment Agency in relaxing the rules on storage of recyclable wastes;
	(ii) encouraging the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), and other bodies to help identify alternative market outlets for recyclable wastes, both domestic and international.

Waste Disposal: Greater London

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which steps his Department has taken to evaluate the new multi-modal refuse collection vehicle for London.

Jane Kennedy: Section 45 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 places the duty to collect commercial and household waste in England on waste collection authorities. These authorities are better placed than central Government to make decisions on the best sustainable waste management strategy for their area and consequently DEFRA does not interfere in these decisions.
	It would be a matter for the local authority planning to use a particular vehicle or collection methodology to assess all aspects of its suitability.

Waste Disposal: Hazardous Substances

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations he has received calling for the introduction of incentives for the full recovery of hazardous waste oil; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: DEFRA officials have received regular correspondence from representatives of the oil recycling sector about the issues relating to the recovery of waste oil and have also held meetings with the oil recycling sector to discuss these issues.

Waste Management

Michael Clapham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will require the Environment Agency to provide guidance to local authorities on the most suitable type of waste management treatment facility appropriate to the geography of the area in which it is to be sited, taking account of the nearness to residents, topography and the local flora and fauna.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 18 December 2008
	While general guidance has been provided by both bodies, it is not within the remit either of the Health and Safety Executive or the Environment Agency to provide guidance to individual local authorities on what is the suitable type of waste management treatment facility for their area.
	Specific guidance for local authorities through Planning Policy Statement 10 (PPS10) is also to be taken into account by waste planning authorities and forms part of the national waste management plan for the UK.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Gambling: Young People

Don Foster: To ask the Solicitor-General how many people were prosecuted for the offence of inviting, causing or permitting a child or young person to gamble in each of the last five years.

Maria Eagle: I have been asked to reply.
	The number of persons proceeded against in magistrates courts for certain offences for gambling in England and Wales, 2003 to 2007 can be viewed in the following table.
	The relevant sections of the Gambling Act 2005 Sections 46, 47, 56 and 57 came into force on 1 September 2007.
	Data held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform, is unable to separately identify Sections 46 and 47 as they are grouped together.
	These data are on the principal offence basis. The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offence for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences, the offence selected is the one for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.
	Court proceedings data for 2008 will be available in the autumn of 2009.
	
		
			  Number of persons proceeded against in magistrates courts for  certain offences relating to Gambling in England and Wales,  2003 to 2007( 1, 2, 3, 4) 
			   Proceeded against 
			 2003 2 
			 2004 0 
			 2005 0 
			 2006 0 
			 2007 3 
			 (1) These data are on the principal offence basis. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts, and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3) Includes the following statutes and corresponding offence descriptions:  Gambling Act 2005 SS.46, 47, 48  62(1)(a)-(c )  (2) Inviting children and young persons to gamble; participation by young persons in gambling. (People under 18 are not allowed to gamble)  Gambling Act 2005 SS.47  49  62(1)(b)(2) Invitation to enter premises; young persons entering premises. (Child and young person may not enter gambling premises)  Gambling Act 2005 S.56  62(1)(a)-( c)  2, 62(1)(b)(2) Invitation to participate in lottery: inviting, causing or permitting a child to take part in a lottery  Gambling Act 2005 S.57  62(1)(a)-( c)  2, 62(1)(b)(2) Invitation to participate in football pools: inviting, causing or permitting a child to take part in football pools  Betting Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963, sec 21(a). Betting with young person.  Betting Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963, sec 21 (b) and (c). Employing young persons.  Betting Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963, sec 21 (b) and (c). Employing young persons.  Gaming Act, 1968 Sec 23 -6. False statement for purpose of obtaining a certificate of approval under Section 19 of this Act or reinstatement of same after revocation by the board.  Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976 Sec 13. and Schedules 1 and 2, Secs 14, 2, 3, 4.  Contravening lotteries Regs 1977. Local and Societies' lotteries contravene requirements of Secs 5 - 12. Prize competitions. General lottery offences. Small lotteries incidental to exempt entertainments. Private lotteries. (4) The relevant sections of the Gambling Act 2005 Sections 46, 47, 56 and 57 came into force on 1 September 2007. Source: OCJR - E  A: Office for Criminal Justice Reform - Evidence  Analysis Unit

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

British Library: Exhibitions

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which towns in England the British Library's Sacred exhibition is visiting.

Sadiq Khan: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has visited the exhibition and said:
	The Sacred exhibition is a wonderful, tangible example of how to promote mutual understanding of Christianity, Judaism and Islam.
	However, Communities and Local Government does not have responsibility for the British Library's 'Sacred' exhibition. Information about the touring exhibition is available on the British Library's website, which states that the exhibition will visit Manchester, Leicester, Bradford, Leeds and Liverpool.

Community Development Foundation

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many staff the Community Development Foundation employs; how many of these work on cohesion and integration; and what funding her Department will provide to the Foundation in  (a) 2008-09 and  (b) each of the following two years.

Sadiq Khan: Community Development Foundation (CDF) currently employs 64 staff: 55 full-time and nine part-time across offices in England, Scotland and Wales. CDF recently aligned its resources to meet its three strategic aims of Empowered, Cohesive and Strong Communities. As a result they employ a Head of Cohesion, and a policy officer is being recruited to work on cohesion policy. In addition a significant number of other programme-funded staff are also involved in cohesion-related work to varying degrees. Details can be found in CDF's annual report at
	www.cdf.org.uk.
	CDF is receiving up to 1,500,000 grant in aid funding in 2008-09. This represents 40 per cent. of its projected unrestricted income for the year. Subject to parliamentary approval, funding allocated for 2009-10 is 1,545,000, and for 2010-11 is 1,590,000.

Community Network For Manchester: Finance

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to the answer of 11 November 2008,  Official Report, column 958W, on Greater Manchester, how much funding has been given to the Community Network for Manchester through  (a) the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and  (b) the Working Neighbourhoods Fund.

Sadiq Khan: CN4M were constituted as an organisation on 22 March 2007. They have received NRF and WNF from that date as follows:
	For 2007-08, CN4M were allocated NRF of 805,000
	For 2008-09, CN4M were allocated WNF of 677,300

Community Relations

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  when she expects the National Community Forum to publish research on the experience of poor white communities, referred to on page 29 of the report, The Government's Response to the Commission on Integration and Cohesion;
	(2)  when she expects the National Community Forum to publish a report on what works to promote interaction between neighbourhoods, as referred to on page 46 of the report, The Government's Response to the Commission on Integration and Cohesion.

Sadiq Khan: The National Community Forum is an advisory non-departmental public body. It has told me that it expects to publish these reports shortly.

Community Relations

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what further research she plans to commission to develop the Government's understanding of radicalisation and enhance its analytical powers; and what the timescale is for such research.

Sadiq Khan: Our plans for further research are being developed currently. They contribute to a wider cross-government Prevent research programme and are likely to comprise a mix of classified and unclassified projects.

Community Relations

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which are the countries with strong links to the UK referred to on page 7 of the report Preventing Violent Extremism: A Strategy for Delivery; and how these countries will implement work to support their communities overseas.

Sadiq Khan: The UK, and some of the communities here, retains strong links with a number of countries due to historic migration. It is of course for the governments of such countries to decide how they maintain connections with their diaspora communities overseas, for example in order to promote commercial links.
	In respect of the Prevent strategy, the Government's work to increase the resilience of communities to engage with and resist violent extremists includes work with diaspora communities in the UK. We will also work in partnership with other countries, in particular those with whom we have these strong ties, to reduce the threat from violent extremism. We will do this in various ways, including through ministerial and official meetings, sharing experience and best practice, and joint cooperation.

Community Relations

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the cost of the national de-radicalisation programme referred to on page 29 of the report The Prevent Strategy: A Guide for Local Partners in England is expected to be in the three years from 2008-09; how many such schemes are currently operational; and if she will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: I have been asked to reply.
	The Office for Security and Counter Terrorism has approved 1.37 million over the CSR period for five projects delivering interventions for individuals vulnerable to recruitment by violent extremism, which involve a de-radicalisation element.

Community Relations

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many vulnerable individuals have been referred to the Channel Project referred to on page 28 of the report The Prevent Strategy: A Guide for Local Partners in England.

Vernon Coaker: I have been asked to reply.
	Between April 2007 and September 2008 around 178 referrals have been made to the Channel Project.

Community Relations

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government who has responsibility for creating the points of referral for vulnerable individuals cited on page 27 of the report The Prevent Strategy: A Guide for Local Partners in England; where these points of referral will be; who will refer vulnerable individuals to these points of referral; what support will be available to those individuals referred; what safeguards will exist to ensure that individuals are not referred mistakenly; what rights of appeal individuals will have against erroneous referrals; and if she will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: I have been asked to reply.
	The Prevent Strategy: a Guide for Local Partners in England makes it clear that local partners, including the police and local authorities need to develop local processes for referral of those vulnerable to radicalisation. A range of agencies and local organisations will refer individuals ranging from community organisations through to further and higher educational organisations and youth offending teams. Local areas should construct a programme of interventions that are appropriately tailored to an individual who has been identified as vulnerable to the pull of violent extremism. When an individual is referred they will be assessed for the level of risk they pose and suitable voluntary interventions, diversionary activity and support will be offered in response.

Community Relations

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when she plans to set up the team to analyse Prevent issues referred to on page 41 of The Prevent Strategy: A Guide for Local Partners in England; how many people the team will comprise; and what estimate she has made of the annual cost of operating the team in the three years from 2008-09.

Vernon Coaker: I have been asked to reply.
	The JTAC Prevent analytical team was set up in March 2008 and currently comprises of seven team members. The approximate staffing costs for the team are 224,927 per annum. In addition to the salary costs, we have invested 405,098 in IT for the team.

Community Relations: Islam

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to the answer of 25 June 2008,  Official Report, column 340W, on community relations: religion, when she expects to announce an independent review to examine with communities how to build the capacity of Islamic seminaries; who she expects to carry out the review; when she plans that it should report; what she estimates it will cost; and if she will make a statement.

Sadiq Khan: The university of Gloucestershire has been contracted to undertake the independent review of training for Muslim faith leaders. The review will work with training institutions in the UK to assess current provision for training Muslim faith leaders, and will also consider best practice models in the UK and internationally. It will then make recommendations for the education and training sector and Muslim communities to take forward, and Government to facilitate where appropriate.
	The estimated cost of the review is 139,000 (excluding VAT). We expect the review to report in summer 2009.

Community Relations: Islam

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what role the Mosque and Imams National Advisory Body will play in assisting the UK Border Agency to develop pre-entry requirements for ministers of religion coming from abroad; what these requirements are likely to be; when they are likely to be implemented; and if she will make a statement.

Sadiq Khan: Under the new points based system, religious workers will be able to apply to enter the UK by using either a sub-category of Tier 2 (skilled workers) or a sub-category of Tier 5 (temporary workers). Tier 2 and Tier 5 were launched on 27 November 2008.
	During the development of this policy UKBA engaged with a wide number of religious stakeholders, including the Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board, and will continue to work closely with them.

Community Relations: Islam

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to the answer of 23 June 2008,  Official Report, column 19W, on community relations: Islam, what the cost was of developing the framework of minimum standards for all imams and Muslim chaplains engaged in public service; and how much the pilots will cost in  (a) 2008-09 and  (b) each of the two subsequent years.

Sadiq Khan: The Experience Corps were awarded 89,708 (excluding VAT) to produce a report based on assessment, collation and analysis of data to establish an evidence base on the existing provision of chaplaincy including standards and recruitment processes, and to develop a draft framework of standards and recruitment process to be used voluntarily by institutions when engaging Muslim chaplains in public service.
	Following a tendering process in August 2008, Faith Matters have been contracted to carry out pilots of these draft standards and recruitment framework. The pilots are projected to cost 80,000 in 2008-09 and 30,000 in 2009-10. No money is forecast to be spent on this project in 2010-11.

Community Relations: Islam

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in which areas she plans to pilot a framework of recruitment standards for Muslim faith leaders in chaplaincy roles in public institutions; how the pilots will be evaluated; when this framework will be rolled out nationally; and if she will make a statement.

Sadiq Khan: Following a tendering process in August 2008, the contract to pilot the draft framework of standards and recruitment framework for institutions engaging Muslim chaplains in public service has been awarded to Faith Matters. Faith Matters will carry out a number of pilots in different institutions across the country over the next six months. The evaluation of the pilots will incorporate the views of relevant officers within participating institutions, as well as wider stakeholder consultation with Imams, other faith leaders, chaplains, and officials from other Government Departments and relevant associated agencies.
	Using key findings from evaluation of the pilots and stakeholder consultation, Faith Matters will produce updated versions of the standards framework and recruitment process, with accompanying notes and a report listing key actions that need to be taken when implementing the documents. These finalised documents will be promoted by Faith Matters for voluntary use in public institutions from early summer 2009.

Community Relations: Islam

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which Muslim organisations have received funding from the Preventing Violent Extremism Community Leadership Fund since June 2007.

Sadiq Khan: The list of all organisations who received funding through the Preventing Violent Extremism Community Leadership Fund in 2007-08 has been placed in the House Library.
	The list of all organisations currently receiving funding through the Preventing Violent Extremism Community Leadership Fund in 2008-09 to 2010-11 is set out as follows:
	
		
			  Capacity building 
			  Organisation  Project description 
			 British Muslim Forum BMF will develop their own capacity and sustainability by recruiting to four posts. This will enable them to work with local Muslim organisations across the country to develop their own working arrangements and governance structures. 
			 Business in the Community (BiTC) Mosaic Muslim Media Network for Muslims working in the media sector to build the confidence of community groups and leaders to engage the media. 
			 GW Theatre Company GW Theatre will build their organisational infrastructure in order to deliver a national tour of their production 'One Extreme to the Other'. Aimed at young people aged 14 to 25 and adults too, One Extreme to the Other offers a powerful theatrical stimulus to debate about issues relating to extremism and is accompanied by a comprehensive multi-media follow-up package to inform further discussion and lead in good practice. They aim to deliver 110 performances over the next three years. 
			 Khayaal Theatre Company Khayaal Theatre Company plans to build its capacity for growth and sustainability in order to deliver between 200 to 250 performances of their two plays 'Hearts and Minds' and 'Sun and Wind' in schools across the country over the next three years. Both of these plays address the issues of radicalisation and extremism as they manifest themselves in families and communities. 
			 Muslim Youth Helpline Capacity building for MYH to recruit a Helpline Care Manager to develop the Helpline's support services and extend the reach of its support services to support vulnerable young people at risk of radicalisation in 'hard to reach' communities, such as the Somali and Eastern European Muslim communities. 
			 Association of Muslim Chaplains in Education (AMCED) AMCED will build its organisational capacity to effectively deliver new services to Muslim chaplains to promote community cohesion and prevent violent extremism. This will involve recruitment and training of new staff, development and launch of their website. 
		
	
	
		
			  Supporting youth 
			  Organisation  Project description 
			 Common Purpose Common Purpose will deliver leadership training courses for younger members of the Muslim community: 
			  'Your Turn'a schools programme for year 9 pupils in London, Manchester, Birmingham and in West Yorkshire. 
			  'Frontrunner'a programme for young leaders in higher education. 
			  A customized 'Frontrunner' programme for 40 young Muslim leaders who are not in full time education or who cannot make the dates of the three open programmes. 
			  'Navigator'a programme in every region of the UK for first career leadersNavigator. 
			   
			 Local Leagues Limited Programme of sports coaching and local competitions as preventative and diversionary activities for Muslim young people (aged eight to 19 years) and engagement of undergraduates with policy makers and decision makers. 
			 Karimia Institute Develop the work of the Muslim Youth Development Partnership, funded by CLG in 2007-08 to train and support 150 volunteer Muslim Youth Leaders over three years. 
			 Bradford Police Club for Young People Engagement of young people through workshops and informal classroom settings to examine the relationship between peace, violence, conflict and war with a particular emphasis on questions of applied ethics involving school teachers and youth community workers as trained Educators. 
			 Muslim Youthwork Foundation Scholarship programme for 10 individuals to undertake a National Youth Association accredited training course to qualify as Muslim youth and community workers. 
			 UK Race and Europe Network Pilot of a citizenship toolkit resource to support the work of young leaders, youth workers, teachers, Imams and parents which has been developed using CLG funding in 2007-08. 
			 One Voice Europe Engagement of young Muslim and Jewish students in a youth leadership development training course to build and promote a consensus for a peaceful resolution to conflicts in the Middle East. 
			 Changemakers Foundation Continuation of 2007-08 CLG funded project to deliver a youth leadership programme to develop young leaders to become 'Changemakers' and develop and deliver projects in their own communities. 
			 Nasiha Youth Citizen Capacity Building Project to network young people in higher education to educate and support Key Stage 2 and 3 pupils in mosque schools. 
		
	
	
		
			  Supporting women 
			  Organisation  Project description 
			 Faith Matters UK tour of Muslim women role models from the US. Women will be drawn from careers such as TV presenters, researchers, civil servants, business entrepreneurs, civil society organisational heads. 
			 Faith Matters The purpose of this project is to compile a directory of the 100 leading mosques that provide the best access to women. Each mosque will be awarded a rating out of five stars based on criteria developed through women's focus groups. The ultimate aim is to incentivise mosques to improve their engagement with and inclusion of women in all aspects of their work through greater access to recognition and resources from the public sector. 
		
	
	
		
			  Faith leaders 
			  Organisation  Project description 
			 Luqman Institute Extension of the pilot Imam training programme funded in 2007-08 to develop training materials and deliver courses to 20 senior Imams over an eight month period 
			 Psychology and Religion Research Group, University of Cambridge Imam Training Course to equip young, newly qualified Imams to engage with British culture and humanitarian values, and to find parallel values within the Qur'an. 
			 Demos 'Futures thinking' workshops for Muslim young people and Imams to explore the 'future' of their interaction in the mosque. The workshops will be delivered in partnership with MINAB. 
		
	
	
		
			  Local forums against extremism and Islamophobia 
			  Organisation  Project description 
			 Gateshead Interfaith Forum Gateshead Interfaith Forum will work closely with Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council to set up a Gateshead forum against extremism and Islamophobia, which will be run as a pilot in 2008-09. 
			 Northampton Race Equality Council The project will establish a local forum across Northamptonshire with representation from the diversity of Muslim groups across the county.

Community Relations: Islam

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when the Government plans to set up the centre of excellence to improve understanding between Muslim communities and cultural and sporting bodies referred to on page 33 of the report The Prevent Strategy: A Guide for Local Partners in England; what the centre's remit will be; how many people it will employ; what its annual budget will be in the three years from 2008-09; and if she will make a statement.

Sadiq Khan: The reference in The Prevent Strategy: A Guide for Local Partners in England is to work to bring together expertise across the culture and sport sectors in one central place under the leadership of the strategic delivery bodies. It does not refer to a physical centre of excellence. This work is being taken forward by Creative Partnerships, a sector body of the Arts Council England, and began in August 2008.
	The remit of this work is to improve the general understanding nationally and locally between Muslim communities and cultural and sporting bodies, and to work with a wide range of partners to help raise understanding of how cultural and sporting opportunities can be used to build resilience to violent extremism.
	Two members of staff at Creative Partnerships are currently engaged on this work.
	In 2008-09 CLG provided funding of 140,000 for this work. At this present time, no future funding has been allocated.

Community Relations: Religion

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what progress has been made in the development of the Continuous Professional Development Programme for Faith Leaders referred to on page 18 of the report, The Prevent Strategy: A Guide for Local Partners in England; when this will be rolled out nationally; and how this project will be funded.

Sadiq Khan: The Faith Community Development qualification is now available for higher education organisations to deliver. In addition to this, we have contracted the National Institute for Adult Continual Education (NIACE) to run a second round of pilots over the 2008/09 academic year. These pilots are being run in London, Bradford, Sheffield, Manchester, Birmingham and Leicester and will report in spring 2009.
	DIUS and CLG jointly funded the development of the qualification and CLG are funding the 2008-09 pilots.

Council Tax

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to the answer of 13 November 2008,  Official Report, column 1312W, on council tax: Wales; if she will publish details of council tax list alterations by local authority area in England in  (a) 2006-07 and  (b) 2007-08 on the same basis, based on data held by the Valuation Office Agency.

John Healey: This information is not currently available.

Departmental Accountancy

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Beckenham of 13 October 2008,  Official Report, column 971W, on Departmental accountancy, to which firms the sum of 3.1 million for the provision of furniture and fittings in 2007-08 was paid.

Sadiq Khan: The firms to which the sum of 3.1 million was paid were Como Interiors Ltd., Steria Ltd., and MITIE Managed Services Ltd.

Departmental Data Protection

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when her Department appointed a senior information risk owner in accordance with the report, Data Handling Procedures in Government and the accompanying document Cross Government Actions: Mandatory Minimum Measures; and what grade the person holds within the Department.

Sadiq Khan: The Department already had a senior information risk owner in place at director level. The role was upgraded to board level in March 2008 and is undertaken at director general level.

Departmental Finance

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the cost of running her Department's Cohesion Directorate is expected to be in  (a) 2008-09 and  (b) each of the following two years; and what the costs are expected to be for the (i) Cohesion and Faiths Preventing Violent Extremism, Race Equality and Diversity divisions and (ii) Gypsy and Traveller unit.

Sadiq Khan: The administrative budget for the Cohesion Directorate is 5,043,606 in 2008-09.
	The administrative budget for 2009-10 and 2010-11 are yet to be agreed.
	The administrative budget for the Cohesion and Faiths and Preventing Violent Extremism divisions is expected to be 4,093,607 in 2008-09. The administrative budget for the Race Equality and Diversity division (which is now a part of the Empowerment Directorate) is 1,172,415.
	The administrative budget for the Gypsy and Traveller Unit (which is also now a part of the Empowerment Directorate) is 417,979 in 2008-09.

Departmental Finance

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what funding has been agreed for each of her Department's executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies for the period 2008-09 to 2010-11.

Sadiq Khan: For NDPBs, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 21 October 2008,  Official Report, column 228W. The Department currently sponsors three executive agencies, as follows:
	 The Fire Service College
	http://www.fireservicecollege.ac.uk/
	 The Planning Inspectorate
	http://www.planning-inspectorate.gov.uk/
	 The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre
	http://www.qeiicc.co.uk/.
	I refer the hon. Member to the agencies' websites via the links above. Available information on funding may be found in documents such as the agencies' corporate or business plans.

Departmental Furniture

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much was spent by her Department on furniture made by  (a) British firms,  (b) Remploy and  (c) overseas firms in each year since 2000.

Sadiq Khan: The Department for Communities and Local Government's furniture procurement strategy is to use the Office of Government Commerce Buying Solutions' framework contracts. There is no mechanism within the framework to capture the country of origin of these goods or details about specific firms.

Departmental ICT

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many embedded communicators have been installed in her Department's information and communications systems.

Sadiq Khan: The hon. Member may wish to refer to The White Book, published by COI. This is available in the Library of the House and contains a listing for members of the Department's Communications Directorate. The book is updated twice yearly.

Departmental Manpower

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many staff work in her Department's  (a) Migration Directorate and  (b) Cohesion Directorate, broken down by unit.

Sadiq Khan: 81 staff work in the Department's Cohesion and Migration Directorate. The breakdown of numbers by unit is as follows:
	
		
			   Staff 
			 Director's Office 4 
			 Cohesion Research 14 
			 Cohesion and Faiths 19 
			 Migration 13 
			 Preventing Extremism 31 
		
	
	In addition there are twp Muslim advisers who are not civil servants.
	There are also six Communities and Local Government staff in the Research, Information and Communications Unit (RICU). This is a cross-governmental strategic communications resource on counter-terrorism. It is owned jointly by Communities and Local Government, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Home Office.

Departmental Marketing

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many complaints about advertisements sponsored or funded by her Department were made to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) in each year from 1997 to 2008; and how many of these were upheld by the ASA in each year.

Sadiq Khan: This information is held by the Advertising Standards Authority and is in the public domain. I therefore refer the hon. Member to the ASA, and to the archive of their adjudications maintained at:
	www.asa.org.uk/asa/adjudications/public
	For broadcast advertising complaints prior to 2004, I refer the hon. Member to the public affairs unit at Ofcom.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what expert advisers have been commissioned by her Department and its agencies since 1997; on what topic each was commissioned; and whether the advisers so appointed made a declaration of political activity in each case.

Sadiq Khan: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Contractors are not asked to declare political activity as a matter of course. Contract terms and conditions task contractors with clarifying that no conflict of interest arises in connection with the services they are to deliver under contract.

Departmental Training

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Hammersmith and Fulham (Mr. Hands) of 13 November 2008,  Official Report, column 1326W, on departmental training, what foreign language or languages she has undertaken training in to assist her in her ministerial capacity; and how much the training has cost.

Sadiq Khan: My right hon. Friend received Spanish lessons in advance of an international ministerial conference on citizen participation in Valencia which took place in October 2007. The cost was 183.

Derelict Land

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment she has made of levels of brownfield development in  (a) England,  (b) the North East,  (c) Tees Valley district and  (d) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency.

Iain Wright: Information on development on previously-developed or brownfield land is taken from the Land Use Change Statistics, which is only available for England.
	In the period 2003-06:
	 (a) 58 per cent. of the land changing to a developed use in England was previously-developed;
	 (b) 60 per cent. of the land changing to a developed use in the North East was previously-developed;
	 (c) 65 per cent. of the land changing to a developed use in the Tees Valley was previously-developed;
	 (d) 60 per cent. of the land changing to a developed use in the Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland constituency was previously-developed.
	Tees Valley is defined as the Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, Stockton-on-Tees and Darlington local authorities.
	Brown field development has been interpreted as all development on previously-developed land, not just residential development. Information on residential development can be found on the CLG website at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/planningbuilding/planningstatistics/livetables/landusechange/

Fire Services: Airwave Service

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many Airwave handsets issued to fire and rescue services have been lost in each year since their introduction; and how many handsets issued to fire and rescue services have been disabled by the service provider following  (a) loss,  (b) breakages and  (c) other reasons in each year since the service's introduction.

Sadiq Khan: In November 2008 the Firelink project commenced the main roll-out of Airwave equipment to the Fire and Rescue Service vehicle fleet. There have been no losses of Airwave handsets delivered by Firelink and no requests have been made to disable equipment.

Fire Services: Taunton

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the cost of maintaining the regional fire control centre in Taunton was in November 2008.

Sadiq Khan: The accommodation costs of the South West Regional Control Centre for November 2008 was 140,783.
	The building is used for a range of purposes including the testing and development of FireControl IT systems and also technical workshops which bring together Fire and Rescue personnel. It is also used for meetings of Fire and Rescue Authority elected members who are responsible for setting up and running the new Regional Control Centres. Additionally, the Regional Project Team also works out of the South West Regional Control Centre.

Fire Services: Training

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many firefighters in England and Wales have been trained  (a) at the Fire Service College and  (b) in Texas in the last 36 months.

Sadiq Khan: The Fire Service College has trained 17,477 firefighters in England and Wales in the last 36 months.
	We do not hold centrally the information on the number of firefighters trained in Texas.

Flood Control

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which recommendations of the Pitt Review  (a) her Department and  (b) its agencies have implemented.

Sadiq Khan: I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' statement of 17 December 2008,  Official Report, columns 1098-1100. A copy of the full Government response has been placed in the Library of the House which sets out a detailed implementation plan.

Housing: Valuation

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the average difference was between the estimated value of houses on which mortgages have been defaulted and the re-sale price of such houses following repossession in the last 12 months.

Iain Wright: Communities and Local Government does not collect or hold such data.

Institute of Community Cohesion

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many staff the Institute of Community Cohesion employs; and what funding her Department will provide to the Institute in  (a) 2008-09 and  (b) each of the following two years.

Sadiq Khan: The Institute of Community Cohesion is independent of Government and Communities and Local Government is not responsible for its staffing. Therefore, I am not in a position to comment on the Institute's staffing levels.
	In line with its policy objectives on cohesion, in 2008-09 Communities and Local Government has provided the Institute with 223,000 of funding for a range of work aimed at helping local partners build more cohesive and integrated communities.
	At present the Department does not have any firm plans to commission work from the Institute in future years.

Islam and Citizenship Education Project

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the cost of the Islam and Citizenship Education project will be in  (a) 2008-09 and  (b) the two following years; how many staff the project employs; and if she will make a statement.

Sadiq Khan: The Islam and Citizenship Education project is jointly funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Department for Children, Schools and Families. The total costs of the project are as follows:
	
		
			
			 2007-08 49,850 
			 2008-09 156,977 
			 2009-10 63,700 
			 2010-11 0 
		
	
	The School Development Support Agency lead this project and they employ a total of three members of staff.

Local Government Association: Manpower

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many staff the Local Government Association employs; and how many of these work on issues relating to cohesion and integration.

Sadiq Khan: I do not hold the information on the number of staff the Local Government Association employs as it is a voluntary lobbying organisation acting on behalf of its members, not a government funded organisation.

Local Government Finance

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which local authorities have not met the 10 day invoice payment target to small and medium-sized enterprises.

John Healey: In the pre-Budget report, in order to help businesses manage their cash flow, the Government announced that it will aim to pay its suppliers as soon as possible and within 10 days. This commitment has been adopted by a number of local authorities.
	However, there is no formal local government target on 10-day payments and we do not collect or maintain central records on this.

Local Government: Bank Services

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment she has made of the effect of commission structures on the quality of investment advice to local authorities, with particular reference to advice to local authorities on investment in Icelandic banks.

John Healey: Financial advisers are regulated by the Financial Services Authority, and it is for the FSA to determine whether or not any particular firm is meeting its regulatory obligations. Local authorities are responsible for their own investment decisions and guidance issued by Communities and Local Government requires them to produce an annual investment strategy which is approved by the full council.

Local Government: Elections

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to the answer of 22 July 2008,  Official Report, columns 1152-53W, on the Communities in Control White Paper, what steps her Department is taking to implement the proposals on voting incentives.

Sadiq Khan: We plan to publish a draft Bill for pre-legislative scrutiny in the spring which will include provisions on voting incentives.

Local Government: Reorganisation

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether retention of the status quo is a possible option for the future structure of local government in Suffolk and Norfolk.

John Healey: Under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 it is open to the Secretary of State to decide to take no action in relation to the unitary proposals submitted to her by Ipswich borough council and Norwich city council or any alternative unitary proposals made to her by the Boundary Committee in response to her request for advice of 6 February 2008.

Local Government: Reorganisation

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will make it her policy to include the status quo as an option in consultation on the future structure of Suffolk and Norfolk local government.

John Healey: Before making any decisions on any alternative unitary proposals in Norfolk and Suffolk made to her by the Boundary Committee in response to her request for advice of 6 February 2008, the Secretary of State will consider all representations received during the statutory four week period, beginning with the date13 February 2009by which she has requested the Committee to provide that advice.

Local Government: Reorganisation

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will make it her policy that local referendums be held in Suffolk and Norfolk on the reorganisation of local government; and if she will include the option of retaining the status quo in the referendum.

John Healey: We have no plans for local referendums on any proposals for unitary local government in Norfolk or Suffolk.

Non-Domestic Rates

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what exemptions from business rates have been applied to properties damaged by the Buncefield oil storage depot explosion.

John Healey: Following the Buncefield oil storage depot explosion, 94 properties were removed from the ratings list as a result of not being capable of beneficial occupation as a result of the Buncefield explosion, and 22 had their rateable value reduced by the Valuation Officer, resulting in these properties either not being liable for rates or having a reduced liability respectively.

Non-Domestic Rates: Ports

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what arrangements are in place for  (a) collection and  (b) enforcement of business rates levied on ports.

John Healey: It is the task of the local billing authority to bill for rates, collect rates, and enforce payment in accordance with the relevant regulations.
	I have announced that we are amending the regulations on collection and enforcement to allow back-dated rate charges to be paid over a number of years in certain circumstances, rather than being due when the bill is issued as at present.

Non-Domestic Rates: Small Businesses

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will place in the Library a copy of the letter sent by her Department to local authorities on the take-up of small business rate relief.

John Healey: I have placed a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.

Observatories

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the  (a) name and  (b) address of each regional observatory is; and whether these bodies are classified as public authorities for the purposes of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Patrick McFadden: I have been asked to reply.
	The name and address of each regional observatory; and whether these bodies are classified as public authorities for the purposes of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI Act 2000) is set out as follows:
	
		
			   Observatory  
			  Region  Name  Address  Whether classified as public authorities for the purposes of the FOI Act 2000 
			 East of England The East of England Observatory The Business Centre, Station Road, Histon, CB4 9LQ The East of England Observatory is part of the East of England Regional Development Agency, which is a public authority for the purposes of the FOI Act. 
			 East Midlands Intelligence East Midlands Regeneration East Midlands, Unit 8, Provident Works, Newdigate Street, Nottingham, NG7 4FD Intelligence East Midlands is part of Regeneration East Midlands, which is the regional centre of excellence for sustainable communities in the East Midlands. Regeneration East Midlands is a Company Limited by Guarantee and Registered Charity and does not have public authority status for the purposes of the FOI Act. 
			 
			 London There is no formally constituted Greater London Regional Observatory. However, various organisations combine to fulfil similar functions. Discussions are under way which will seek to establish a single website linking appropriate material, and may in addition result in the establishment of a formal Regional Observatory. 
			 
			 North East North East Regional Information Partnership (NERIP) Stella House, Goldcrest Way, Newburn Riverside, NE15 8NY NERIP is part of One North East Regional Development Agency, which is a public authority for the purposes of the FOI Act. 
			 
			 North West North West Regional Intelligence Unit North West Development Agency, Renaissance House, PO Box 37, Centre Park, Warrington, Cheshire, WA1 1XB North West Regional Intelligence Unit is part of the North West Regional Development Agency, which is a public authority for the purposes of the FOI Act. 
			 
			 South East South East England Intelligence Network (SEE-IN) Berkeley House, Cross Lanes, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 1YA SEE-IN is part of South East of England Regional Development Agency, which is a public authority for the purposes of the FOI Act. 
			 
			 South West South West Regional ObservatoryCore Unit East Reach House, East Reach, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 3EN The Observatory is not classified as a public authority for the purposes of the FOI Act. 
			 
			 West Midlands West Midlands Regional Observatory West Midlands Regional Observatory, Level L1, Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham, B4 7XG The West Midlands Regional Observatory is part of the Regional Development Agency, Advantage West Midlands, and is a public authority for FOI purposes. 
			 
			 Yorkshire and Humber Yorkshire Futures 2 Victoria Place, Leeds, LS11 5AE Yorkshire Futures is a part of Yorkshire Forward, which is a public authority for the purposes of the FOI Act.

Preventing Violent Extremism Community Leadership Fund

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much the Preventing Violent Extremism Community Leadership Fund will distribute in  (a) 2008-09,  (b) 2009-10 and  (c) 2010-11, broken down by (i) community capacity building, (ii) supporting young people, (iii) supporting women, (iv) building the capacity of faith leaders and (v) supporting local forums against Islamophobia.

Sadiq Khan: So far, the following amounts have been allocated through the first round of the Preventing Violent Extremism Community Leadership Fund for 2008-09 to 2010-11:
	
		
			   
			   2008-09  2009-10  2010-11 
			 Capacity building 439,591 111,888 64,767 
			 Supporting young people 494,943 80,000 80,000 
			 Supporting women 135,125 29,775 0 
			 Supporting faith leaders 205,630 0 0 
			 Local Forums 24,725 0 0

Radical Middleway

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when the Radical Middleway expects to announce the next phase of its programme; how many locations Radical Middleway plans to visit in 2008-09; and what funding will be allocated to the programme in the three years from 2008-09.

Sadiq Khan: The Radical Middle Way programme of events for 2008-09 began in October 2008 and will continue into April 2009. All events are announced online at the Radical Middle Way website, which has a comprehensive archive of past events.
	The Radical Middle Way organise tours across numerous cities and towns across the UK. They have already visited Hounslow, West London, Central London, Nottingham, Sheffield, Cambridge, Peterborough, Birmingham, Luton, Crawley and in the summer of 2008 High Wycombe. We are currently aware of events that are planned on being held in London, Derby, Milton Keynes, Blackburn, Greater Manchester, Bristol, High Wycombe, Slough, Stoke on Trent, Plymouth and other cities and towns across the North which have yet to be determined.
	No decision has yet been made in respect of funding the Radical Middle Way in the years following from 2008-09.

Regional Government

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what her Department's policy on earned autonomy is.

Sadiq Khan: Through comprehensive performance assessment, higher performing authorities are able to earn additional freedoms from Government. New local performance arrangements, through the national indicator set, local area agreements and a targeted assessment regime take this policy forward.

Rent A Room Scheme

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment she has made of effects of the rent-a-room scheme in providing accommodation for people who have lost their homes; and if she will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: I have been asked to reply.
	There are no data available on the number of persons who have lost their homes who are benefiting from accommodation provided as a result of rent-a-room relief.

Rented Housing

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what her Department's latest estimate is of the number of families for each London borough housed in  (a) council,  (b) housing association and  (c) private sector tenancies allocated by local authorities; and what the equivalent figures were for  (a) 2006-07 and  (b) 2007-08.

Iain Wright: Local authorities in England report information for numbers of local authority owned (council) dwellings as at 1 April in their annual Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix returns.
	Information for the number of dwellings owned by housing associations has been collected by the Tenants Service Authority (formerly the Housing Corporation), via their annual Regulatory and Statistical Return (RSR).
	Table 1 provides estimates for numbers of local authority owned dwellings in each London borough for 2007. Figures for 2008 are not yet available, but will be released on 22nd January 2009.
	
		
			  Table 1: Local authority stock by London district (at 1 April) 
			  Local authority  2007 
			 Barking and Dagenham 19,659 
			 Barnet 11,074 
			 Bexley 13 
			 Brent 11,135 
			 Bromley 0 
			 Camden 23,517 
			 City of London 429 
			 Croydon 14,136 
			 Ealing 13,920 
			 Enfield 11,588 
			 Greenwich 24,703 
			 Hackney 23,590 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 13,248 
			 Haringey 16,964 
			 Harrow 5,091 
			 Havering 10,967 
			 Hillingdon 10,809 
			 Hounslow 13,176 
			 Islington 27,046 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 6,996 
			 Kingston upon Thames 4,869 
			 Lambeth 27,788 
			 Lewisham 26,036 
			 Merton 6,406 
			 Newham 17,958 
			 Redbridge 4,790 
			 Richmond upon Thames 83 
			 Southwark 41,873 
			 Sutton 7,332 
			 Tower Hamlets 15,739 
			 Waltham Forest 10,369 
			 Wandsworth 17,279 
			 Westminster 12,298 
			 London 450,881 
		
	
	This information is also published on the Communities and Local Government website in Table 116 at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/xls/140882.xls
	Table 2 provides estimates for numbers of housing association owned dwellings in each London borough for 2007 and 2008.
	
		
			  Table 2: Housing association stock by London district (at 31 March) 
			  Local authority  2007  2008 
			 Barking and Dagenham 3,257 3,440 
			 Barnet 6,804 6,904 
			 Bexley 12,832 12,953 
			 Brent 14,582 15,338 
			 Bromley 18,349 18,513 
			 Camden 10,818 10,715 
			 City of London 543 549 
			 Croydon 9,868 10,203 
			 Ealing 9,662 9,621 
			 Enfield 6,568 6,756 
			 Greenwich 10,657 10,724 
			 Hackney 21,373 21,590 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 12,295 12,537 
			 Haringey 10,483 10,695 
			 Harrow 3,619 3,640 
			 Havering 2,327 2,509 
			 Hillingdon 5,547 5,866 
			 Hounslow 6,579 6,645 
			 Islington 14,034 14,933 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 13,322 13,365 
			 Kingston upon Thames 2,324 2,298 
			 Lambeth 20,220 21,174 
			 Lewisham 10,917 16,437 
			 Merton 4,725 4,821 
			 Newham 11,677 11,908 
			 Redbridge 4,597 4,625 
			 Richmond upon Thames 9,713 9,790 
			 Southwark 14,357 14,617 
			 Sutton 3,688 4,179 
			 Tower Hamlets 23,903 26,682 
			 Waltham Forest 10,645 10,692 
			 Wandsworth 9,890 10,056 
			 Westminster 15,720 15,821 
			 London 335,895 350,596 
			  Notes:  Includes general needs social housing, supported housing and housing for older people 
		
	
	Information for households housed in private sector tenancies allocated by local authorities is not collected centrally.

Sight Impaired

Tom Levitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidelines her Department follows in respect of making printed materials and forms accessible to people suffering red/green colour blindness.

Sadiq Khan: The Department follows COI Informability advice that the use of red and green together as text/background should be avoided. This includes the use of tints and solid blocks of colour.
	As an additional accessibility measure, the Department's website provides Word format files for all new publications and signposts the availability of alternative formats on request.

Small Area Data Programme

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the  (a) purpose and  (b) remit of her Department's Small Area Data programme is.

Sadiq Khan: Communities and Local Government supports the development and use of a wide range of small area data. Its purpose is principally to provide better information at a neighbourhood level to help tackle deprivation, identify priorities at a neighbourhood level and promote better service delivery and performance management.
	The Social Exclusion Unit's report 'Policy Action Team 18: Better Information' (2000)
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/cabinetoffice/social_exclusion_task_force/assets/publications_1997_to_2006/pat_report_18.pdf
	recognised the critical role of access to statistics for small areas in order for local service providers to better understand the nature and patterns of deprivation in neighbourhoods.
	Between 2001 and 2006 the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit within this department (and formerly the Office for the Deputy Prime Minister) worked collaboratively with the Office for National Statistics (and in co-operation with other Departments) on the development of Neighbourhood Statistics Service (NeSS) to meet the requirements of PAT 18. The NeSS programme evaluation can be found at:
	http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/Info.do?page=aboutneighbourhood/reportsandpolicies/ness-reports-policy-docs.htm.
	CLG continues to work with closely with ONS and across Government to support the development of small area data relating to deprivation and regeneration.
	The current remit of CLG's small area data programme covers socioeconomic statistics across Government relating to deprivation, regeneration and renewal. CLG's focus continues to be on enabling local and regional regeneration professionals to improve their strategic planning, monitor progress and target interventions on their most deprived neighbourhoods in support of the Regeneration Framework. The consultation document can be found at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/citiesandregions/transformingplaces.
	This includes supporting the local management of data and the development of local information systems
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/localinformationsvstems.
	Better availability of small area data helps local strategic partnerships monitor, performance manage and deliver against their local area agreements.
	CLG also has direct responsibility for the development and production of small area statistics relating to deprivation (Indices of Multiple Deprivation)
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/communities/neighbourhoodrenewal/deprivation/deprivation07/
	Social Housing (National Register of Social Housing
	http://www.tenantservicesauthority.org/server.php?show=:nav.13461
	and Fires (Fire and Rescue Service Incidents published on NeSS).

Social Rented Housing: Evictions

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many care leavers were evicted from social housing in 2007 as a result of rent arrears.

Iain Wright: The information requested is not held centrally.

South East Plan

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans her Department has to publish the final version of the South East Plan by the end of 2008.

Sadiq Khan: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Guildford (Anne Milton) on 24 November 2008,  Official Report, column 1140W. This stated that the Secretary of State expects to publish the south east's regional spatial strategy in the spring of 2009.

Travelling People

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much the North West Regional Assembly spent on producing its digital versatile disc entitled Gypsy and Travelling Show People.

Sadiq Khan: The Somewhere to Live DVD was commissioned to support the on-going Partial Review of Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) which is focussing on a number of topics including Gypsy and Traveller Pitch Provision and Travelling Showpeople Plot Provision. 4NW, formerly known as the North West Regional Assembly, spent 6,513.10 on the production of this DVD.

Young Muslim Advisory Group

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the remit of the Young Muslim Advisory Group is; what the criteria will be for selecting its members; what she expects its running costs to be; what funds have been allocated to the group for the three years from 2008-09; and if she will make a statement.

Sadiq Khan: The members of the Young Muslims Advisory Group (YMAG) were announced on 7 October 2008 following a public recruitment process involving a written application, and attendance at a residential seminar.
	The remit of the Young Muslims Advisory Group, as set out in the recruitment advertisement is:
	To facilitate an ongoing and meaningful dialogue between Government and young people on the experience of being a young Muslim in England and the opportunity to influence government strategy and policy on issues that affect them.
	To explore the causes and impact of violent extremism and underlying causes of disaffection (including anti-terror legislation, stop and search, identity issues, foreign policy, Islamaphobia, discrimination, etc.) on Muslim young people and Muslim communities.
	To support and encourage young people to be active in their communities in order to tackle disaffection, increase civic engagement and respond to concerns felt by other young people.
	To support young people to develop confidence and skills and in making appropriate contributions to the development of their communities.
	The criteria for selecting the YMAG's final 22 members are set out as follows:
	 Communication skills
	Articulates clearly and concisely
	Able to debate, persuade and question
	Looks at issues from someone else's perspective
	Respects and is tolerant of other opinion.
	 Teamwork skills
	Ability to participate and contribute to a team
	Ability to exchange ideas and offer solutions
	Ability to encourage and support other team members
	Appreciates diversity and differences among team members.
	 General skills
	Knowledge/understanding of Muslim and wider affairs (such as current/political/social/health)
	Demonstrates a desire to make a difference
	An ability to motivate others and to take a positive role in the community
	Creativity and drive to take forward new ideas.
	The management of the YMAG was awarded to the Office for Public Management through an open tender process. The value of this contract is 250,000 for the two years from September 2008.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Afghanistan: Children

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of UK aid to Afghanistan is intended to assist children in 2008-09; what steps his Department is taking to deal with unexploded ordnance in Afghanistan, with particular reference to the protection of children; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The Department for International Development (DFID) will spend 60 million through the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund. This provides finance, among other things, for teachers' salaries directly benefiting the 6 million children now in school and health services and support to the health sector (specifically training) which reduces infant mortality.
	DFID currently funds and has made a further five year commitment of up to 10 million to the HALO Trust's demining programmes in Afghanistan. The purpose of these programmes is to return high-priority mined land and suspected hazardous areas to productive use, and to providing children with safe areas to work and play.

Afghanistan: Children

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to assist the Afghan government to uphold its commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The Department for International Development (DFID) works in partnership with the Government of Afghanistan (GoA) to ensure the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is upheld. This policy is incorporated into DFID's state-building, growth and livelihoods programmes.
	DFID's contribution to the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF) of 60 million (2008-09) is supporting Afghan children realise their right to education. The ARTF contributes to the salaries of over 100,000 teachers and six million students are now enrolled in school. In 2001 this figure stood at one million, very few of whom were girls, who were denied education under the Taliban.
	In 2008 DFID contributed 11 million to the World Food programme to support the provision of wheat to 425,000 households over the winter period, ensuring fewer Afghan children are in danger of sliding further into poverty and malnutrition.
	The UK, in partnership with the Afghan Government and international community, is committed to providing a safe and secure environment in which children can freely access schools, clinics and public spaces.

Afghanistan: International Assistance

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what systems are in place to co-ordinate all international aid efforts in Afghanistan.

Douglas Alexander: The United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA) is mandated with coordinating the international development effort behind the Government of Afghanistan's (GoA) National Development Strategy (ANDS). The ANDS offers renewed opportunity to align and coordinate aid behind GoA priorities. DFID is supporting its implementation with a 2.7 million (2006-09) programme of assistance to support UNAMA and establish a coordination monitoring board.
	In the long term, building capacity and using government systems is the most effective way for the GoA to coordinate funding with national priorities and to ensure value for money. DFID is therefore committed to spending at least 50 per cent. of our annual budget through government channels.

Afghanistan: Overseas Aid

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department takes to ensure that aid to Afghanistan  (a) is used to strengthen local and national civil society and the Afghan government and  (b) reaches those most in need, particularly children; what steps his Department takes to ensure that bodies in Afghanistan receiving aid are held accountable for where the aid goes; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The Department for International Development is providing 4.5 million over the period 2006-07 to 2008-09 to the Governance and Transparency Fund to strengthen national civil society in Afghanistan. This is providing assistancedelivered through several international NGOs (including Cranfield University, Relief International and Making Integrity Work) working with a wide range of local partners including the Afghan Civil Society Forum, Integrity Watch Afghanistan, the Afghan Institute for Management Training and Enhancement of Indigenous Capacities, the Killid Group.
	Delivery of aid through Government of Afghanistan (GoA) channels is the most effective way to build state capacity, ensure value for money, and co-ordinate funding with national priorities. At local level, the National Solidarity Programme (NSP) supports the creation of Community Development Councils (CDCs), which decide, on behalf of their village or community, what is most needed in their area. So far over 21,700 Community Development Councils have been established across Afghanistan with over 45,200 projects under way or completed. NSP is being implemented across the country by 28 local and international NGOs and by UN Habitat.
	In addition we are providing 1.5 million in core funding for the Afghanistan Evaluation and Research Unit (AREU), an independent policy research organisation which has a programme of work aimed at measuring the effectiveness of international donor assistance (including that provided by the UK).

Afghanistan: Overseas Aid

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to protect  (a) Afghani people,  (b) vulnerable populations in Afghanistan and  (c) children in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: Strengthened, transparent and accountable policing and justice systems are critical to protect Afghanistan's population from insecurity and criminality. The UK is working with the US and EU to reform the Afghan police and funding a bilateral mentoring programme in Helmand province. The UK provides over 50 experts for this purpose. We are working with the Government of Afghanistan (GoA) to strengthen both the formal justice sector (through the GoA's National Justice Programme) and the informal justice system. Improving people's access to justice and dispute resolution is a critical aspect of this work, through legal aid and training in legal and rights awareness. The UK's justice adviser in Helmand has for example established a Women and Children's Justice Group, helping vulnerable groups to have their rights better protected.
	Food insecurity in Afghanistan has been particularly acute in 2008-09 due to drought and to global food price increases. Around 4.5 million people are currently vulnerable to food scarcity with women, children, and the poorest disproportionately affected. In 2008 DFID provided the World Food Programme (WFP) with 11 million to respond to the food crisis. WFP deliver food on the basis of a Food Vulnerability Assessment which ranks districts in terms of food vulnerability and informs delivery priorities accordingly.
	Additional suffering is caused by mines and explosive remnants of war: it is estimated that 728 km(2) still requires some form of clearance and over 4 million Afghans live in mine-affected areas. DFID funds the HALO trust (an expected 4.6 million in 2008-09) to undertake a demining programme, in order to return hazardous areas to productive use and reduce the threat to the population.
	DFID Afghanistan has developed a Gender Equality Action Plan to drive awareness and focus on gender issues within our development programme. The plan covers gender-disaggregated results monitoring, explicitly mapping staff and programme resources against gender objectives, and an internal skills development programme. A significant portion of our effort will be focused on building partnerships within the GoA and with other donorsparticularly multilateral institutionsto increase their contribution to addressing gender inequality. DFID will lobby UNDP, the World Bank, and the Ministry of Agriculture to strengthen their approaches to gender issues.

Afghanistan: Overseas Aid

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many non-governmental organisations are contracted by the Government to work in Helmand province; and what projects they are undertaking.

Douglas Alexander: There are five major non-governmental organisations (NGOs) implementing projects in Helmand with Department for International Development (DFID) funding. Their work in Helmand includes agricultural development with the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock; microfinance; community development; and work on procuring goods locally for the international community. In addition, the UK-led Provincial Reconstruction Team works with several local non-governmental organisations to deliver stabilisation projects across Helmand.

Departmental Contracts

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development with how many faith-based organisations his Department has contracts to provide public services.

Michael Foster: In making contracts for the provision of public services, my Department only selects organisations that meet the proper criteria and have the most relevant expertise and experience to offer. The extent to which such organisations are faith-based is not evident in every case. An accurate total or comprehensive list could therefore be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Marketing

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much has been spent by his Department on advertising in the last 12 months.

Michael Foster: The Department for International Development (DFID) has spent 374,302 on advertising in the last 12 months.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many special advisers were employed in his Department at each pay band on 30 November 2008; and what his Department's expenditure on special advisers was in 2007-08.

Ivan Lewis: The Prime Minister publishes on an annual basis, a list of the numbers and cost of special advisers. Information for 2007-08 was published on 22 July 2008,  Official Report , columns 99-101WS and information for 2008-09 will be published later this year.

Departmental Official Hospitality

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much has been spent on  (a) departmental Christmas parties and  (b) staff entertainment in the last three years.

Michael Foster: No official funds have been spent on department-wide Christmas parties in the last three years.
	It is not possible to provide expenditure on staff entertainment in the last three years without incurring disproportionate costs.

Eritrea: Overseas Aid

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the value has been of Government aid to Eritrea in  (a) 2006-07,  (b) 2007-08 and  (c) 2008-09; through which relief agencies the funding has been channelled; and to what projects it has been allocated.

Ivan Lewis: The Department for International Development's (DFID) bilateral budget for Eritrea in 2008-09 is 2.1 million. 2 million of this is for UNICEF's water and sanitation programme, the remainder for Oxfam's water and sanitation project in Debub. In the event of an humanitarian crisis we would consider making further funds available.
	Details on DFID bilateral expenditure in Eritrea in 2006-07 and 2007-08 are in the following table.
	
		
			  DFID bilateral expenditure in Eritrea, 2006-07 to 2008-09 
			  000 
			  Project title  Channel of delivery  2006-07  2007-08 
			 ICRC 2008 Appeal British Red Cross  1,500 
			 UNHCR2007 Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees  600 
			 UNICEF Nutrition 2007 UN Children's Fund (UNICEF)  500 
			 DIA/ICCO Supplementary Food II Interchurch Organisation for Development Cooperation 286 481 
			 UNICEF: Health 2007/08 UN Children's Fund (UNICEF)  330 
			 WHO Health 2007 World Health Organisation  200 
			 Watsan Consultant HR Wallingford Ltd 11  
			 IRC Health Debub International Rescue 452  
			 UNICEF Watsan 2006 UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) 500  
			 Oxfam Debub Water OXFAM 18  
			 UNICEF Health Nutrition UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) 1,000  
			 OCHA Co-ordination and support UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs 223  
			 2007 Eritrea Appeal British Red Cross 1,000

International Fund for Agricultural Development

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the merits of nominating a British candidate for the position of President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development.

Gareth Thomas: The UK works to promote merit-based, transparent senior level appointments across the international system, supporting well-qualified UK and non-UK candidates. In deciding whether to lobby for a UK candidate for a particular post the Government take a view of the mandate of the organisation, the quality of the process, the likely field and our other priorities across the multilateral system.
	Over the last year we have worked successfully with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and its membership to promote greater transparency in the election for its next president. Presidency candidates at IFAD must be nominated by their Government and, if they are to stand a serious chance of success, strongly supported by their Government in their campaign. Credible candidates have been emerging for the IFAD presidency and we did not nominate a UK candidate on this occasion.

Members: Correspondence

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when he expects the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to reply to the letters of 21 October and 1 December from the hon. Member for the Forest of Dean on mine harvesting in Cambodia.

Michael Foster: A response to the hon. Member for the Forest of Dean's letter of 21 October was issued on 27 October.

Mental Illness

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the recommendations relevant to his Department's policy responsibilities made in the Foresight report on Mental Capacity and Well-Being; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The Department for International Development (DFID) was pleased to read the Foresight report and will be considering it with a view to taking up any relevant findings.
	Part of that process will involve an assessment of what the report might mean for DFID policy and I will report on this in due course.

Somalia: Overseas Aid

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what role the Government has played in the training of the police force in Somalia; what funding has been provided from his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The UK, together with other European donors, has provided support to the United Nations Development Programme's Rule of Law and Security (ROLS) programme, which was designed to help improve safety and security for people in Somalia and promote better access to justice. The UK's support to the UNDP Rule of Law and Security Programme finished as scheduled in August 2008.
	The Department for International Development (DFID) committed $3,872,108 (2,590,827) between January and July 2008 to the law enforcement part of the ROLS programme. This has included support for civilian Police Advisory Committees in Mogadishu, the refurbishment of a police training centre in Somaliland and the training of police station commanders. It also includes the training of police, including in human rights issues, in training centres reconstructed by the international community. Police training is one aspect of the wider programme and DFID does not specify a level of expenditure for this activity.

Stabilisation Unit

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many people are employed in his Department's Stabilisation Unit  (a) centrally,  (b) in each theatre of operation and  (c) to deal with each theatre; how many have been drawn from each contributing Department; what the annual running costs of the unit are; how much the unit has spent in each theatre in which it operates in the last 12 months; and what plans there are to audit its (i) performance and (ii) efficiency.

Michael Foster: The breakdown of staff by Department and theatre is shown in the following table.
	The running costs of the unit in the current financial year are 3.6 million. Total programme spend in 2008-09 is estimated at 5.4 million and spent as follows: 1.8 million in Afghanistan, 2.0 million in Sudan, 0.3 million in Iraq, 1.3 million on building future capability, 1 million in Georgia.
	The stabilisation unit is subject to the Department for International Development's (DFID) audit arrangements. This includes external financial and value for money audit by the National Audit Office and periodic internal review by DFID's Internal Audit Department (IAD).
	
		
			  Department source  Number of staff  Of which in London  In theatre 
			 DFID 15 13 1 (Afghanistan) 
			1 (Iraq) 
			 MOD 7 6 1 (Afghanistan) 
			 Serving Military 3 3  
			 FCO 2 2  
			 HMT 1 1  
			 Cabinet Office 1 1  
			 BERR 1 0 1 (Sudan) 
			 Police Service of Northern Ireland 1 0 1 (Afghanistan) 
			 Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs 1 1  
			 Under recruitment 3 3  
			 Total 35 30 5 
		
	
	In addition, the Unit currently has 25 civilian experts overseas on fixed-term consultancy contracts longer than three months17 in Afghanistan, four in Sudan, two in Iraq and two elsewhere in Africa.

Zimbabwe: Cholera

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to alleviate the water shortage in Harare; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The Department for International Development (DFID) has delivered 3 million altogether to UNICEF to support the distribution of safe, potable water to cholera affected areas in Zimbabwe. UNICEF leads a cluster of over 25 partners working together to ensure that water, sanitation and hygiene in the poorest areas of the country are addressed. The high density areas of Harare are among those worst affected by the cholera epidemic. Since October 2008, UNICEF and its partners have been trucking in safe water, digging boreholes, installing mechanised pumps and treating wells. These actions have helped to increase the availability of clean water in these areas.

Zimbabwe: Cholera

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to alleviate the effects of the cholera outbreak in Harare.

Ivan Lewis: The humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe continues to deteriorate. The cholera epidemic is the biggest in Zimbabwe's history. The United Nations (UN) is predicting that as many as 60,000 could be affected in the coming weeks. The Department for International Development (DFID) is funding a 10 million package to help fight the cholera outbreak and support life-saving health services, including in the worst affected areas such as Harare.

OLYMPICS

Departmental Advertising

Grant Shapps: To ask the Minister for the Olympics how much has been spent by  (a) her Office and  (b) each body for which she has responsibility on advertising in the last 12 months.

Tessa Jowell: In the period from 1 December 2007 to 30 November 2008, the amounts spent on advertising (inclusive of VAT) were as follows:
	 (a) Private Office of the Minister for the OlympicsNil
	 (b) Government Olympic Executive27,113.64
	Olympic Delivery Authority343,906.24
	Olympic Lottery Distributor1,345.38.
	All advertising expenditure by the Government Olympic Executive (GOE), the Olympic Delivery Authority and the Olympic Lottery Distributor was for recruitment purposes, except for 2,731.16 spent by GOE to promote two regional London 2012: Ask the Team public question-time events.

Departmental Official Hospitality

David Simpson: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what records her Office maintains of its expenditure on  (a) official hospitality and  (b) alcohol for official hospitality.

Tessa Jowell: My office keeps a log of ministerial gifts and hospitality given and received each year.
	There is no departmental requirement to separately monitor expenditure on alcohol for hospitality purposes and therefore no mechanism for this information to be recorded.
	All spending on official entertainment is made in accordance with the principles set out in Managing Public Money. This document is available on HM Treasury's website.

Inland Waterways

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what steps she is taking to ensure that the Olympic Delivery Authority accomplishes the dredging of the canal access routes to the Olympic sites.

Tessa Jowell: The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has an agreed programme of waterways works. A wharf is currently being built on the Lee Navigation Canal adjacent to the on-site logistics centre at Bow East and a further wharf is scheduled for construction by Q2 2009 on the Waterworks River. The ODA has recently carried out successful trials in the use of two 100 tonne fully loaded barges to the wharf locations. A dredging scheme is currently being evaluated for dredging the river from Bow locks up to the Waterworks River wharf to facilitate 350 tonne barges with dredging scheduled for Q1 2009. The ODA will report progress on these works in its monthly and quarterly reports.

Olympic Games 2012: Construction

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what alternative sources of funding for the athletes' village  (a) she and  (b) the Olympic Delivery Authority is considering; and if she will make a statement.  [Official Report, 3 February 2009, Vol. 487, c. 8MC.]

Tessa Jowell: As a consequence of recent turmoil in the global financial markets, less private sector investment is available than originally envisaged, meaning that the Olympic Village deal needs to be restructured and additional public sector investment will need to be made. The details of that restructured deal are being worked through between the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) and Lend Lease under the terms of an exclusivity agreement and it would not be appropriate to reveal the details until that deal is concluded in the spring of next year. Under the exclusivity agreement, the ODA may not negotiate with alternative development partners.

Olympic Games 2012: Economic Situation

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what assessment she has made of the effect of the current economic situation on the 2012 London Olympics.

Tessa Jowell: The turmoil in global financial markets and the economic developments of recent months have affected the financing of the Olympic Village and International Broadcast Centre/Main Press Centre projects.
	However, the venues and infrastructure for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games, including the Olympic Village and the International Broadcasting Centre/Main Press Centre are still on track to be delivered within the 9.325 billion public sector funding package. In addition, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games has already secured over half the funding necessary to stage the games.
	The substantial progress that has been made both in the delivery of the venues and infrastructure and in the raising of funds to support the staging of the games means that, while recognising the risks, we remain in a good position to manage delivery on time and on budget.

Olympic Games 2012: Gun Sports

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Minister for the Olympics whether the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games have presented their requirements for the venue of the Olympic shooting events in respect of  (a) ranges and facilities,  (b) security,  (c) costs,  (d) transport facilities,  (e) accommodation and  (f) legacy to the authorities at Bisley shooting ground; and if she will make a statement.

Tessa Jowell: The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) together with the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) met British Shooting on 9 December to discuss the use of Bisley for the shooting competition at the London 2012 games. They discussed a wide-range of issues including facility requirements, the legacy benefit, safety and security issues, transport and accommodation provision, and whether the venue can be delivered efficiently and cost-effectively. The ODA has subsequently written to British Shooting requesting further clarity on a number of issues. This work on the shooting venue is ongoing and final decisions are yet to be made by the Olympic Board.

Olympic Games 2012: Lend Lease

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Minister for the Olympics pursuant to the Answer of 8 December 2008,  Official Report, column 3W, for what reasons exclusivity has been granted to Lend Lease; and if she will make a statement.

Tessa Jowell: holding answer 15 December 2008
	Lend Lease were appointed after a competitive tender process under the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) and remain a committed partner in the delivery of the Olympic Village. The exclusivity agreement has been granted in order to finalise funding arrangements and legal documentation.

Olympic Games 2012: North East

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what assessment she has made of the legacy to the North East from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Tessa Jowell: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 15 December 2008,  Official Report, column 342W.
	In addition, nine of the Olympic Delivery Authority's (ODA) suppliers are businesses registered in the North East. Over 700 businesses from the region have registered on CompeteFor, the electronic brokerage service for buyers and suppliers. In February 2009, One North East (the Regional Development Agency) will host the ODA at a 'Meet the Buyer event' at Newcastle Racecourse where a range of business support activity with be available and 2012 opportunities will be promoted to around 2,000 business organisations.
	I am also delighted to say there are a number of projects in the North East that have been awarded the London 2012 Inspire Mark (the non-commercial 2012 brand available for exciting new cultural projects inspired by the Games). So far this includes:
	Creative Arts, by Tyne and Wear Museums;
	Dance City Afro Reggae, by Dance City;
	Seconds Out, by Theatre Royal Newcastle and Darlington Council;
	Border Crossing by ISIS Arts;
	Juice, Newcastle Gateshead's Children and Young People's Festival, by Culture 10;
	People's Record and Literature and Stories by MLA.
	The Personal Best programme uses Games-inspired volunteering to help people to develop their skills for work. Building on the success of London, the North East will be one of the first regions to benefit by introducing this programme.

Olympic Games 2012: North East

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what steps are being taken to ensure that  (a) the North East and  (b) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency are able to meet the goals and objectives set for the London 2012 Olympics.

Tessa Jowell: The Government and the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) are working hard to ensure the benefits of 2012 reach across the UK and have established a Nations and Regions Group (NRG) to oversee this work. The North East representative is Peter Rowley, Chair of the Regional Sports Board.
	At a regional level, all London 2012 games-related activity is led by One NorthEast (the regional development agency) and Sport England North East and includes a structure involving partners from across the public, voluntary and private sectors. These arrangements provide the groundwork for delivering a strong legacy in the North East and will ensure that the region contributes to the overall UK-wide legacy ambitions of 2012. Through the effective delivery of the Legacy Action Plan, we aim to maximise the social, economic and cultural opportunities across the UK.
	We are already seeing great progress in a lot of these areas, for example, the North East has put in place a project called Beating Type 2 Diabetes. This project is active in Middlesbrough and aims to show how increased physical activity can help prevent type 2 diabetes. It uses 2012 as a key driver for behavioural change.
	Additionally, there are also a number of groups in the Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland region who work in partnership with Sport England to promote the wider benefits of the London 2012 games. This includes Tees Valley Olympic and Paralympic Games Working Group which has identified a draft action plan of activities that it intends to carry out between now and 2012. It is organising an events-based programme which aims to use the Olympics and Paralympics to encourage involvement in sport and identify talented performers. The group is also utilising Sport England funding to match strong performers with talented coaches to enable them to fulfil their potential.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Airguns: Crime

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to  (a) collate and  (b) publish as a separate category statistics on offences committed with airsoft guns.

Jacqui Smith: Statistics for crimes involving BB guns/soft air weapons have been collected separately since April 2004 and were published for the first time in January 2006.
	Latest data relate to 2006-07 and are available in table 2.03 of 'Homicides, Firearm Offences and Intimate Violence 2006-07' (HOSB 03/08), which is at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs08/hosb0308.pdf.

Alcoholic Drinks: Young People

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many retailers have been  (a) prosecuted and  (b) convicted for the persistent sale of alcohol to a person under 18 years in each of the last five years.

Jacqui Smith: I refer the hon. and learned Member to the answer given on 15 December 2008,  Official Report, column 504W.

Animal Experiments

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress her Department has made in the replacement of animals in scientific procedures; what effect Government action to promote such replacement had on numbers of animals used in scientific procedures in the most recent year for which figures are available; what recent discussions she has had with representatives of the scientific community about this issue; and if she will make a statement.

Meg Hillier: The Government strongly support the development and use of non-animal alternatives where possible, use of animals in scientific procedures will not be licensed if alternative non-animal techniques are available. The National Centre for Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs), which the Home Office part-funds, was established in May 2004 and acts as a focal point for research into the 3Rs. We have ongoing discussions with the NC3Rs.
	The Government also continue to support the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM), with a member of Home Office staff serving on the ESAC Scientific Advisory Committee, and through contributions to the European Union. It is ECVAM's task to monitor and co-ordinate research into alternatives and to develop the processes of validationthat is, the assessment of alternative methods to see whether they are reliable and whether they produce a level of information similar to the animal based tests they are to replace.
	In addition the Home Office has established an inter-departmental group on the 3Rs to ensure other UK regulatory bodies take account of the progress with the 3Rs in their policies and practices. Home Office staff made a range of presentations on humane experimental technique at the 6th World Congress on Alternatives to Animal research in 2007. Reference is made to other relevant Home Office presentations in the 2007 Annual Report of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate.
	The impact of progress on the uptake of suitable reduction and replacement alternatives can be seen in a number of classes of animal use reported in the Annual Statistical report series: for example reductions in numbers of rabbits used for pyrogen testing, the numbers of guinea pigs used for skin sensitisation testing, and the number of animals used for skin irritation studies.

Animal Experiments

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of whether the threshold of moderate pain in animal experimentation is being adhered to; how her Department defines moderate pain in relation to animal experimentation; what representations she has received since January 2008 about that definition; and if she will make a statement.

Meg Hillier: The assessment of whether the threshold of moderate pain in animal experimentation is being adhered to is mainly through the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate's inspection programme and a selection of reports and published work.
	The severity limits of protocols are defined in Section 5.42 of the Guidance on the Operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. Moderate protocols are defined as:
	Protocols regarded as moderate include toxicity tests (which do not involve lethal endpoints) and many surgical procedures (provided that suffering is controlled and minimised by effective post-operative analgesia and care).
	Protocols that have the potential to cause greater suffering but include controls which minimise severity, or terminate the protocol before the animal shows more than moderate adverse effects, may also be classed within the moderate severity limit.
	We have received no formal representations on this issue since January 2008. Judicial Review proceedings in July 2007 considered four issues relating to the implementation of the 1986 Act one of which was on the severity limits for protocols. It was argued that in certain projects the severity limits should have been set at substantial rather than moderate. In its judgment issued on 23 April 2008, the Court of Appeal overturned the High Court's earlier finding that the former Chief Inspector had erred in law in assessing severity limits in the relevant project licence. On this point, the Court found that neither the former Chief Inspector nor the Secretary of State had adopted an erroneous approach to the published Guidance on the Operation of the 1986 Act regarding the assessment of severity limits.
	Furthermore, the Court of Appeal, in upholding our appeal, agreed that the severity limit is determined by the degree of suffering experienced by the animal prior to the point at which it is humanely killed.

Animal Experiments

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps her Department  (a) is taking and  (b) plans to take in the next 12 months to reduce the number of animals used in scientific procedures; what recent representations she has received about this issue; and if she will make a statement.

Meg Hillier: Many factors influence trends in the use of animals under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, including the economic climate, global trends in scientific endeavour and strategic decisions by funding bodies. The increase in the use of genetically altered strains seen over recent years has also had an impact as advances in genetics open up new and promising avenues of medical research.
	The licensing system under the 1986 Act is demand-led and we have no control over the number of project licence applications we receive. The Act limits such animal use to where there is a clear benefit to people, animals or the environment when there is no means of obtaining these benefits without animal use, or at a lesser animal welfare cost. All scientists and researchers undertaking animal research in the UK are required to take into account the '3Rs' (measures to replace, reduce, and refine animal use) when devising their programmes of research proposals.
	In 2004 the Government established the National Centre for the 3Rs to provide a focal point and resources for such activities. The NC3Rs, which is part funded by the Home Office, drives advances in the 3Rs by taking a robust scientific approach, and bringing together expertise from a diverse range of areas, including academia, industry, Government and regulatory bodies.
	There have been no recent formal representations about this issue.

Animal Experiments

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations she has received on the Animals (Scientific Purposes) Act 1986; and if she will make a statement.

Meg Hillier: We have not received any recent formal representations on the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

Animal Experiments

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what  (a) statutory instruments,  (b) departmental circulars and  (c) other documents she (i) has issued in the last 12 months and (ii) plans to issue in the next 12 months consequent on the provisions of the Animals (Scientific Purposes) Act 1986; and if she will make a statement.

Meg Hillier: During the past 12 months we have issued no statutory instruments, departmental circulars or other documents consequential on the provisions of the Animals (Scientific Purposes) Act 1986 and currently have no plans to issue any in the next 12 months.
	During 2008 we have issued a total of 10 PCD circulars and ASPD newsletters to stakeholders on a range of topical issues and these are also published on our website.

Animal Experiments: EC Law

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her policy is on EC Directive 86/609/EEC on the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes; what recent representations she has received on this Directive; if she will publish copies of the representations she has received, together with her replies; and if she will make a statement.

Meg Hillier: The requirements of European Union directive 86/609/EEC are implemented in United Kingdom law through the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. The 1986 Act puts into effect, and in some ways exceeds, the requirements of directive 86/609/EEC and of Council of Europe Convention ETS 123.
	I have received no recent formal representation.
	A proposal for the revision of directive 86/609 has now been published and pending a formal public consultation to inform the Government's negotiating position my officials are undertaking a range of meetings with stakeholders including other Government Departments, users, funding bodies; and those with a special interest in alternatives, animal welfare and animal protection.
	The UK Government supports the Commission's aims to harmonise the regulation of the use of animals for experimental and other scientific purposes across the European Union. In particular we support elements of the proposal that will promote high European animal welfare standards, and the development and use of alternative methods.
	We believe that it is essential the regulation properly balances the protection of animals and the legitimate needs of science, industry and society, ensuring high quality scientific outputs while maintaining public confidence that animals do not suffer unnecessarily.
	We will not support any unnecessary or disproportionate increase in the regulatory burden that would not further those objectives, or would damage the success, sustainability or competitiveness of the UK science base.

Animal Experiments: Licensing

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications there were for licences for animal experimentation in each year since 1997; how many licences were granted in each such year; and how many applications were rejected.

Meg Hillier: From the retained records available to us, full details for licences applied for and granted under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 are only available from 2003 and these and the current year to date are shown in the following tables.
	A feature of the regulatory regime under the 1986 Act is the discussion that often takes place at an early stage between applicants (or prospective applicants) and the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate. When serious deficiencies are discovered with the proposals during these early discussions with the local inspectors, this means that proposals unlikely to meet the Act's stringent requirements are revised or withdrawn before formal refusal becomes necessary.
	Furthermore, it is commonly the case that the authorities ultimately granted are not as originally set out by the applicants.
	
		
			  Project licences 
			Number granted in   
			  Year project licence applied for  Number of licences applied for  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 to date  Number not proceeded with plus those still outstanding at end of the period  Number refused 
			 2003 n/a 774 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 2004 n/a x 575 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 2005 492 x x 386 88 4 1 13 0 
			 2006 586 x x x 430 135 0 21 0 
			 2007 599 x x x x 458 109 32 0 
			 2008 to date 718 x x x x x 563 155 0 
		
	
	
		
			  Personal licences 
			Number granted in   
			   Number of licences applied for  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 to date  Number not proceeded with plus those still outstanding at end of the period  Number refused 
			 2003 n/a 2,273 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 2004 n/a x 2,156 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 2005 1,784 x x 1,567 204 5 3 5 0 
			 2006 2,270 x x x 1,968 282 6 14 0 
			 2007 2,505 x x x x 2,267 209 29 0 
			 2008 to date 2,638 x x x x x 2,458 180 0 
		
	
	
		
			  Certificates of designation 
			Number granted in   
			   Number of licences applied for  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 to date  Number not proceeded with plus those still outstanding at end of the period  Number refused 
			 2003 n/a 6 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 2004 n/a x 2 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 2005 5 x x 41  
			 2006 2 x x x 2 
			 2007 2 x x x x 2  0 0 
			 2008 to date 2 x x x x x 2 0 0 
			 n/a = Not available.

Animal Experiments: Primates

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether her Department has  (a) approved and  (b) inspected a breeding centre operated by Vanny Bio-Research at Prek Eng in Cambodia as an overseas primate supply and breeding facility to export primates to the UK for the purposes of scientific research; and what recent representations she has received on breeding of long-tailed macaques for research in Cambodia, with particular reference to the Vanny Bio-Research Centre.

Meg Hillier: The Home Office has no remit to approve or accredit overseas primate breeding centres. However, the use of any non-human primate under the authority of project licences issued under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 from an overseas source requires prior approval which is given only if the conditions at the breeding centre are acceptable to the Home Office at that time. The Home Office has not visited any primate supply and breeding facility in Cambodia.
	We have received no formal representations on breeding of long-tailed macaques for research in Cambodia, with particular reference to the Vanny Bio-Research Centre. In my reply to your question of 17 December 2008,  Official Report, column 857W, I advised you that we had previously considered the suitability of a laboratory primate breeding centre in Cambodia, and are reviewing its potential suitability in the light of additional documentation recently received. No approval for requests for the import of non-human primates will be considered until the centre in Cambodia has been visited by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders have  (a) been issued and  (b) been breached in each of the last five years.

Jacqui Smith: Data on the number of antisocial Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) issued and breached in England and Wales are available up 31 December 2006. The available published information is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of Antis ocial Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) issued and the number proven in court to have been breached at least once at all courts in England and Wales in each year, 2000( 1) -06 
			  England and Wales  2000- 02( 1)  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			 Issued 914 1,349 3,479 4,123 2,706 
			 Breached(2) 317 565 1,410 2,163 1,801 
			 (1 )From 1 June 2000. (2 )ASBOs breached are counted based on the year the first breach was proven in court.  Note:  Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  Source:  As reported to the Home Office by the Court Service. Prepared by OCJR Evidence and Analysis Unit.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders: Hampshire

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders were  (a) issued and  (b) breached in (i) Southampton, (ii) Test Valley Borough and (iii) the ceremonial county of Hampshire in (A) 2006, (B) 2007 and (C) 2008.

Alan Campbell: The number of ASBOs issued at all courts in the Hampshire Criminal Justice System (CJS) area in 2006 was 66 and number proven in court to have been breached in 2006 was 67. ASBOs became available from April 1999, the majority of the 67 ASBOs which were breached in 2006 will have been issued prior to 2006.
	Centrally collected data on the number of antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) issued and the number proven in court to have been breached are available up to 31 December 2006 and are not compiled below CJS area level.

Antisocial Behaviour: Young People

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many acceptable behaviour contracts have been issued to young people found drinking and behaving anti-socially in public in each of the last five years.

Alan Campbell: The information requested is not available.
	Acceptable behaviour contracts (ABCs) are voluntary agreements and therefore not suitable for central data collection. However, surveys carried out by the Home Office of the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (CDRPs) indicated that over 30,000 ABCs have been made since October 2003. The Home Office has issued updated and comprehensive guidance for practitioners on the use of ABCs.

Asylum

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what basis the asylum support benefit rates are set; and whether that basis will apply to their next uprating.

Phil Woolas: The statutory basis of asylum support is to meet the essential living needs of asylum seekers and their dependants who would otherwise be destitute. No decision has been taken on the uprating of asylum support rates for 2009.

Asylum: Children

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum-seeking children below the age of 18 years old are without parents or guardians.

Phil Woolas: An unaccompanied asylum seeking child (UASC) is defined as a person who at the time of making an asylum application is under 18, or who, in the absence of documentary evidence establishing age, appears to be under that age; is applying for asylum in his or her own right and; is separated from both parents and is not being cared for by an adult who by law or custom has responsibility to do so.
	Information is published in table 2.3 of the annual publication, which gives details of UASCs aged 17 or under, who applied for asylum by country of nationality. Annual Statistics on UASCs, 2005-07, are available in the latest annual publication Asylum Statistics United Kingdom 2007, which is held in the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum-stats.html

Asylum: Finance

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many unsuccessful asylum seekers were in receipt of section 4 support on 1 November 2008.

Phil Woolas: Information on the numbers in receipt of section 4 support is published on a quarterly basis in the Control of Immigration Quarterly statistical bulletin. The latest published information shows that as at the end of September 2008, 10,220 applicants, excluding dependants, were in receipt of Section 4 support.
	Further National Statistics on asylum and immigration are available in the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum-stats.html.

Asylum: Iraq

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) Iraqi and  (b) Afghan nationals have (i) applied for and (ii) been granted asylum in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: The Home Office publishes statistics on the number of applications received for asylum, and grants of asylum at initial decision, broken down by nationality. Initial decisions do not necessarily relate to applications made in the same year.
	The information is published in Table 2.1 (Applications received) and Table 3.1 (Cases granted asylum) of Asylum Statistics United Kingdom 2007 bulletin which is available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum-stats.html.

Asylum: North Korea

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people claiming to be North Korean citizens have applied for asylum in each of the last five years.

Phil Woolas: The following table shows principal asylum applications for nationals of North Korea in each of the last five years.
	Information on asylum is published annually and quarterly. Annual statistics for 2007 and quarterly statistics for 2008 are available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum-stats.html.
	
		
			  Asylum applications( 1)  received in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, 2003-2007, nationals of Korea (North) 
			   Applications 
			   Total  Port  In country 
			 2003 10  10 
			 2004 20 * 20 
			 2005 30  30 
			 2006 45  45 
			 2007(2) 410 * 410 
			 (1) Figures rounded to nearest five, (- = 0, * = one or two). (2) Provisional figures.

Bookmakers: Burglary

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many betting shop robberies there were in  (a) England and Wales,  (b) the North East,  (c) Tees Valley district and  (d) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency in each of the last five years.

Alan Campbell: The information requested is not collected centrally. The Home Office collects statistics on offences of robbery recorded by the police but no information is available on the type of premises robbed.

Bookmakers: Crimes of Violence

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many reported incidents of violence there were against  (a) male and  (b) female betting shop workers in (i) England and Wales, (ii) the North East, (iii) Tees Valley district and (iv) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency in the last two years.

Alan Campbell: The information requested is not collected centrally. The Home Office collects statistics on offences of violence against the person recorded by the police but no information is available on the sex or occupation of the victims.

Borders: Personal Records

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the likelihood of compliance by 2009 of charter and leisure operators which serve popular tourist destinations with requirements set under the e-Borders scheme for inbound travel documents.

Jacqui Smith: The requirements of e-Borders have been presented to all carriers operating to and from the UK. No distinction is made between 'charter and leisure operators' and scheduled carriers and indeed the majority of carriers operate a mix of both scheduled and charter services.
	In some instances, carriers have stated that they are likely to be unable to discharge their full obligations for data capture and transmission to e-Borders from the planned roll out date. Consequently e-Borders has invested in the creation of a series of transitional technical solutions (valid until the end of 2009) allowing carriers to supply data in a flexible manner that satisfies the requirements of the programme.
	e-Borders is confident that by continuing to work in partnership with the industry and by offering transitional technical solutions the overall compliance rate will be very high.

Borders: Personal Records

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects the projected benefits to the leisure and charter industry from the e-Borders scheme to begin to flow.

Jacqui Smith: The creation of a safe and secure border is a benefit that will be felt by all of those involved in the travel industry including the travelling public.
	The experience of project Semaphore has clearly demonstrated the value that advance capture and processing of passenger information adds to the safety and security of the United Kingdom by permitting the authorities to intervene in a timely and proportionate manner on those who would seek to do us harm.
	The early capture of such information will be a key enabler for efficient processing of passengers and crew at the UK border and in turn benefit carriers and their passengers in maintaining smooth flow through their ports.

Borders: Personal Records

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what deadlines have been set under the e-Borders scheme in respect of  (a) outbound and  (b) inbound travel document information for (i) leisure aviation, (ii) scheduled aviation, (iii) ferries, (iv) international rail, (v) boats, (vi) light aviation and (vii) other sectors.

Jacqui Smith: e-Borders does not distinguish between inbound and outbound data, but rather focuses on individual routes where all carriers operating that route are required to submit data from a specific date, inbound and outbound.
	Regarding the specific modes detailed in the question I can say that the full e-Borders roll out will commence from March 2009 for scheduled aviation and thereafter will be receiving data from all other sectors from 2010. This process will be rolled out across the industry in accordance with the country based roll out plan, with 95 per cent. of the totality of inbound and outbound passengers.

Cannabis: Crime

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when warnings for cannabis possession will be recorded on the Police National Computer.

Jacqui Smith: The recording of cannabis warnings on the Police National Computer (PNC) has been considered but is not currently being pursued pending the availability of PentiP. The new PentiP 24-hour national fixed penalty database which is due to be available from 2010 will be developed to include a facility to record cannabis warnings. The recording of cannabis warnings is currently a matter for individual police forces at a local level this will remain so until the availability of PentiP. ACPO have undertaken to ensure that all forces are fully aware of the importance of accurately recording cannabis warnings locally.

Community Relations

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department at which sites the Channel Project has been rolled out to date; and at which sites she plans to roll out the project in the future.

Vernon Coaker: To date Channel Project sites are currently operational in London, Lancashire, West Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Bedfordshire and more recently in South Wales. Plans are in place to expand the project further in London, West Midlands, Lancashire, Thames Valley, South Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Leicestershire, and Nottinghamshire.

Community Relations

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to publish the full evaluation of the Channel Project referred to on page 46 of the Audit Commission report Preventing Violent Extremism: Learning and Development Exercise.

Vernon Coaker: An OSCT process evaluation of the Channel Project is currently underway. We will be sharing implementation lessons in spring 2009.

Community Relations

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures she has put in place to  (a) provide accountability and  (b) maintain community confidence in relation to the Channel Project.

Vernon Coaker: The Prevent Strategy: A Guide for Local Partners in England makes it clear that the police and local authorities need to take a lead in ensuring that local partnerships have been clearly tasked with driving delivery of a jointly agreed programme of action that:
	Meets the specific objectives of the Prevent strategy;
	Is jointly agreed and managed by the police, local authority and other partners;
	Is proportionate to the level of threat in the area;
	Reflects local needs; and
	Sets out clear and tangible milestones in tracking progress.
	The guide makes it clear that local communities should be actively engaged in multi-agency partnerships and should shape the development and implementation of the jointly agreed programme of action.
	Where Channel is operational it will form an important part of local areas' programmes of action.
	All local authorities have to report on progress on the prevent strategy through National Indicator 35 'Building Resilience to Violent Extremism', which is replicated in the Assessments of Policing and Community Safety performance framework. The introduction of the Comprehensive Area Assessment in April 2009 will further ensure effective and efficient performance by local authorities and other local partners on Prevent.

Community Relations

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which areas  (a) have set up multi-agency partnerships focused on preventing violent extremism, referred to on page 9 of the report The Prevent Strategy: A Guide for Local Partners in England published in June 2008,  (b) have set up groups focused specifically on the Prevent Strategy and  (c) are using an existing group, such as a Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership or Local Strategic Partnership.

Vernon Coaker: Government offices provide information on Prevent partnership working each quarter for the 78 areas that received preventing violent extremism funding this financial year as part of their area based grant. The last return provided in September 2008 reported that 60 of these areas had a multi-agency Prevent partnership in place. We do not specifically request information on whether the named partnership is a new group but we understand that most areas have decided that an existing partnership, such as a crime and disorder reduction partnership or local strategic partnership, should be tasked to oversee their work on Prevent at a strategic level.
	Government offices continue to work with local areas to ensure that effective delivery arrangements are in place and are providing challenge and guidance to those areas that have yet to agree a multi-agency partnership to lead on Prevent.

Community Relations

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who will have overall responsibility at a local level for the regular assessment and reviews of the threat of individuals and communities becoming involved in violent extremism, referred to on page 12 of the report The Prevent Strategy: A Guide for Local Partners in England; how often such assessments will be carried out; and if she will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: The police are developing a new process for sharing information which will enable all BCU Commanders and Local Authority Chief Executives to see an assessment of the vulnerabilities in their areas, and will be responsible for co-ordinating this activity with a range of partners. Assessments will be reviewed at least annually, depending on the threat in a particular area.

Community Relations: Police

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which constabularies have undertaken exercises with objectives similar to Operation Nicole referred to on page 29 of The Prevent Strategy: A Guide for Local Partners in England.

Vernon Coaker: The Home Office does not collect this information centrally. The Association of Chief Police Officers (Terrorism and Allied Matters) has national responsibility for co-ordinating and overseeing police led counter-terrorism tabletop exercises.

Control Orders

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the answer of 3 April 2008 to the hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire, (Mr. Vara)  Official Report, column 1314W, on control orders, how many individuals are currently subject to control orders; and how many of those are receiving benefits administered by the Department for Work and Pensions, broken down by type of benefit.

Vernon Coaker: In relation to the total number of individuals currently subject to control orders, I would refer the hon. Member to the latest written ministerial statement in relation to control orders which was published on 15 December 2008. This statement explains that, as of 10 December 2008, there were 15 control orders in force.
	The latest information that the Home Office holds shows that eight of the individuals currently subject to control orders are in receipt of benefits that are administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Some individuals are in receipt of more than one form of DWP administered benefit. Of these individuals: two receive incapacity benefit, five receive job seeker's allowance, one receives disability living allowance, two receive income support and two receive child tax credit.

Control Orders

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how much her Department has spent on  (a) accommodation,  (b) council tax,  (c) utility bills,  (d) telephone line rental,  (e) pre-paid telephone cards and  (f) any other necessary subsistence payments, for individuals subject to control orders who have been prevented from gaining employment or rendered ineligible for benefits in each year since 2005;
	(2)  how many individuals currently subject to control orders have been prevented from gaining employment or have been rendered ineligible for benefits due to their terms of their control order; and how many of those individuals are currently receiving subsistence payments from her Department, broken down by type of subsistence payment.

Vernon Coaker: The Home Office has not spent any money on providing accommodation, council tax, utility bills, telephone line rental or pre-paid telephone cards for individuals subject to control orders due simply to their being prevented from gaining employment or rendered ineligible for benefits as a result of their control orders.
	Since the commencement of the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005 one individual subject to a control order was assessed as being ineligible for employment related benefits, for a short period, as a result of the terms of his control order. The individual concerned received subsistence payments totalling 240 over an eight-week period in 2006.
	Although not as a result of his being made ineligible for employment related benefits, the Home Office has in 2008 also paid the following subsistence costs for this same individual:
	(a) 7744 on his Home Office-provided accommodation;
	(b) 429 on his council tax;
	(c) 891 on utilities; and
	(d) 88 on line rental.
	The Home Office has not paid for this individual's accommodation, council tax, utility bills, telephone line rental, or pre-paid telephone cards in any preceding year.

Counter-Terrorism Act 2008

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which  (a) statutory instruments,  (b) departmental circulars and  (c) other documents she plans to issue in the next 12 months consequential on the provisions of the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008; and if she will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: The Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 received Royal Assent on 26 November 2008.
	Part 5 (terrorist financing and money laundering) and part 6 (financial restrictions proceedings) of the Act came into force on the day after Royal Assent. The Lord Chancellor has made two sets of Rules of Court under section 72 of the Act. They are (i) the Supreme Court of England and Wales Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2008 (SI 2008/3085) and (ii) the Rules of the Supreme Court (Northern Ireland) (Amendment No.3) 2008 (S.R. (N.I.) 2008, No. 479). Both were laid before Parliament on 2 December 2008.
	Sections 85-90 (costs of policing at gas sites) will come into force, by virtue of section 100(3) (commencement) on 26 January 2009, that is two months after Royal Assent. Following this the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform will make an order designating the National Grid (NTS) as a gas transporter and subsequently they will issue directions to Ofgem and to the gas transporter.
	Section 91 (appointment of special advocates in Northern Ireland) will come into force when section 27 of the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (ch.26) comes into force.
	The other provisions in the Act will be brought into force by commencement order.
	The provisions relating to the power to remove documents (sections 1-9) and post-charge questioning (part 2 of the Act) require the PACE codes of practice to be revised when they are brought into force. Drafts of these revised PACE codes were laid in the House Library during the passage of the Act and they will be consulted upon in the normal way.
	The formal consultation process is likely to be in January 2009.
	In respect of section 28 (which provides UK-wide jurisdiction for terrorism offences) the Lord Advocate and the Attorney-General will set out some of the main considerations that may be relevant to decisions made under this section and this document will be made available in the House Library before the provisions are brought into force.
	In relation to the provisions in Part 4 of the Act (the notification scheme for convicted terrorists) regulations will be made under section 52 (Travel outside the United Kingdom); Rules of Court will be made in relation to notification orders; a standard form for police acknowledgment of notification will be prescribed and regulations may be made prescribing further information that must be notified under the scheme.
	Some of the other provisions in the Act will also require other supporting work to be in place before they may be implemented. Departmental circulars will accompany the commencement orders and other guidance will be issued where appropriate

Crime and Policing Bill

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will take steps to assess the social impact of the planned Crime and Policing Bill on those groups likely to be affected by it.

Vernon Coaker: Impact assessments have been produced for the necessary provisions within the Policing and Crime Bill and are available at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/ia-police-crime-bill-08/
	and also at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/closed/airportpolicing/revisedimpactassessmet.pdf
	Equality impact assessments for relevant provisions in the Bill will be published before Second Reading in the House of Commons.

Crime Prevention

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the Policing Green Paper of July 2008, what indicators will be used to measure her Department's performance in tackling serious crime.

Jacqui Smith: Policing performance is measured through the Assessments of Policing And Community Safety (APACS) framework, which contains key performance indicators for the police working alone or in partnership. These include performance indicators for serious violent crime, gun crime, knife crime and others. A full list of the indicators in APACS was set out in 'The Police Authorities (Best Value) Performance Indicators Order 2008' (10 March 2008).

Crime: Burglary

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her most recent estimate is of the levels of domestic burglary in  (a) England and Wales,  (b) the North East,  (c) Tees Valley district and  (d) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency, in each of the last five years.

Alan Campbell: The available information relates to recorded offences of domestic burglary and is given in the following table. The Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency comes within the Middlesbrough Basic Command Unit. Data for Tees Valley are not available.
	
		
			  Offences of domestic burglary recorded by the police ,  2003-04 to 2007-08 
			  Number of offences 
			   2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			  Area  
			 England and Wales(1) 402,345 321,507 300,517 292,260 280,704 
			 North East Region 19,550 14,934 13,095 12,303 10,881 
			 Middlesbrough 2,080 1,637 1,803 1,374 1,635 
			 (1) Includes British Transport police

Crime: Motor Vehicles

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her most recent estimate is of the levels of vehicle-related crime in  (a) England and Wales,  (b) the North East,  (c) Tees Valley district and  (d) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency, in each of the last five years.

Alan Campbell: The available information relates to recorded offences against vehicles and is given in the following table. The Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency comes within the Middlesbrough Basic Command Unit. Data for Tees Valley are not available.
	
		
			  Offences against vehicles1 recorded by the police ,  2003-04 to 2007-08 
			  Number of offences 
			  Area  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 England and Wales 985,006 820,096 792,821 765,015 656,549 
			 North East Region 43,265 36,693 35,294 30,973 25,564 
			 Middlesbrough 5,065 5,845 4,790 3,971 2,786 
			 (1) Includes offences of theft of and from a vehicle, aggravated vehicle-taking and interfering with a motor vehicle. (2) Includes British Transport Police.

Crime: Victims

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent steps the Government has taken to support victims of crime.

Maria Eagle: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government have placed victims and witnesses at the heart of the criminal justice system and given support services to them a high priority.
	Since 2004 the Government have introduced the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime which gives victims legal rights to support and information about their case. It has also supported the development of Victim Support into a strong national organisation able to help more victims more quickly. Victim Support is an independent charity and is the main provider of services to victims and witnesses across England and Wales. Over recent years funding has increased from 11.7 million to 30 million. Victim Support has recently introduced an improved business process, with an additional 12.6 million from Government, so that victims can be contacted quickly, have their needs assessed and, if needed, be offered a wider range of practical services than was previously available.
	In addition the Government fund a number of other organisations offering specialist support services through the Victims Fund. 8.2 million has been invested so far funding for services to victims of sexual violence, childhood sexual abuse, hate crime and homicide. The Poppy project supports adult women who have been trafficked into the UK for sexual exploitation and this includes provision for temporarily accommodating victims.
	The Office for Criminal Justice Reform (OCJR) has provided 5.6 million since 2007 for Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) who provide a service to victims who are at high risk of harm. The money provides IDVAS to support victims as their cases progress through specialist domestic violence courts. The 5.6 million follows 2 million of Home Office funding in 2006-07.
	The recently published Youth Crime Action Plan will be improving support services to young victims of crime. The plan has been developed jointly between the OCJR, Ministry of Justice, the Department for Children Schools and Families and the Home Office. The Action Plan will deliver results on youth justice, youth crime prevention and cross cutting themes on victimisation.
	Support after Murder and Manslaughter (SAMM) receives an annual grant of 140,000 to provide advice and support to those bereaved by homicide and presents training to police forces and other statutory agencies (e.g. the Health and Safety Executive) on bereavement awareness issues.
	Victims and witnesses have a voice in shaping government policy and future support services through the Victims Advisory Panel and, shortly, the appointment of a commissioner for victims and witnesses will be able to promote the views of victims and witnesses at the highest levels.

Crime: Young People

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent steps the Government have taken to reduce levels of youth crime.

Alan Campbell: The Government are committed to driving down youth crime and keeping the communities, including young people themselves, safer.
	The vast majority of young people are well behaved and it is a minority we need to focus on, who are responsible for half of all youth crime.
	As well as the Tackling Knives Action Programme (TKAP), the Government have published (15 July) the Youth Crime Action Plan. This is a joint initiative by the Home Office, Ministry of Justice (MOJ) and Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). The plan sets out a comprehensive cross-Government plan to tackle youth crime, with a triple track approach of enforcement and punishment where behaviour is unacceptable, non-negotiable support and challenge where it is most needed, and better and earlier prevention. It will deliver an extensive and comprehensive package of measures for children, young people and families that is backed by 100 million of funding to help prevent young people getting involved in crime.
	The 100 million is being used for:
	extra investment in all areas of England to support families with the most entrenched and complex problems;
	an intensive programme of action for priority areas where problem of youth crime is greatest; including taking unsupervised young people off the streets at night and requiring young people to complete community service on Friday and Saturday nights; and
	guidance of recommended approaches to reducing youth crime for these areas that they can tailor to their local needs, achieving the right balance between enforcement action to tackle the problems on our streets and prevention measures to ensure future generations do not make the same mistakes.
	There is already a great deal of work going on across Government to tackle youth crime and anti social behaviour. Positive Futures programme is a national sports based social inclusion programme which is funded by the Home Office in partnership with the Football Foundation.
	The programme aims to have a positive influence on young people's lives through widening their horizons and providing access to new opportunities by using sport, art and leisure activities as a catalyst to encourage project participation and steering young people towards education, training and employment.

Crimes of Violence

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many violent crimes have been reported in  (a) England and Wales,  (b) the North East,  (c) Tees Valley district and  (d) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency, in each of the last five years.

Alan Campbell: A number of changes have been made to recorded crime in response to suggestions in the two reviews of crime statistics. One such change is that the term 'violent crime' is no longer used in connection with the recorded crime statistics and we now provide figures for violence against the person.
	The available information is given in the following table. The Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency comes within the Middlesbrough Basic Command Unit. Data for Tees Valley are not available.
	
		
			  Offences of violence against the person recorded by the police, 2003-04 to 2007-08 
			  Number of offences 
			  Area  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 England and Wales(1) 967,228 1,048,095 1,059,585 1,046,168 961,188 
			 North East Region 40,561 41,537 46,206 48,194 41,085 
			 Middlesbrough 2,922 3,653 4,560 5,119 4,721 
			 (1) Includes British Transport Police.

Criminal Records Bureau: Standards

David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the effect on the career prospects of individuals of having unsubstantiated allegations on their Criminal Records Bureau disclosures.

Meg Hillier: The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) does not hold criminal records or records of allegations. Rather, in processing disclosure applications, the CRB obtains information held by the police service and from lists held by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and the Department of Health (DoH).
	Therefore, although the CRB does not know how many individuals are the subject of unsubstantiated allegations on their disclosures, the Bureau is aware of the impact such allegations can have on an applicant's career prospects.
	It is for this reason that the CRB has issued a range of guidance, and a code of practice, to those who use the CRB service to ensure that, where conviction or non-conviction exists, it is discussed fairly and transparently.
	The CRB operates a disputes procedure where disclosed data can be challenged by an applicant, although the retention or disposal of intelligence material held by the police is entirely a matter for the chief officer.

Criminal Records: EU Action

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the European Criminal Record Information system will allow the vetting of prospective employees by  (a) airport authorities and  (b) other sensitive employers; and what estimate she has made of the speed with which a request for information on a prospective employee's record could be answered.

Jacqui Smith: In October, the EU agreed a Council Decision on the establishment of the European Criminal Record Information System (ECRIS). This proposal is designed to provide a standardised format for the secure electronic exchange of criminal records information including the offence and the sentence.
	Criminal record exchange in the EU is still currently governed by Council Decision 2005/876/JHA of 21 November 2005 on the exchange of information extracted from the criminal record. Under these arrangements, the UK Central Authority for Exchange of Criminal Records (UKCA-ECR) is automatically told by other member states of convictions of British nationals in other EU countries and can ask other member states for the previous criminal history of one of their citizens who is involved in criminal proceedings here. Responses to such requests should be provided within 10 days.
	Where the UKCA-ECR receives this information, it is recorded on our police national computer. It will therefore be available to the Criminal Records Bureau and Disclosure Scotland.
	When ECRIS is implemented, it will allow swifter exchange of criminal records information than is the case now.

Departmental Consultants

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the answer of 5 November 2008,  Official Report, column 2226W, on departmental consultants, how many security passes her Department has issued to contractors providing consultancy services in the last 12 months; and if she will put in place measures to record the number of external consultants contracted to provide services for her Department.

Phil Woolas: The Department does employ consultants for specialist areas of activity. The Department has records of passes issued to external contractors, including consultants. However, the cost involved in confirming the number of passes issued to consultants over the 12 months would incur disproportionate costs in accordance with extant guidelines.

Departmental Correspondence

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) letters and  (b) e-mails received by her Department had not been responded to as at 15 December 2008.

Phil Woolas: The Cabinet Office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on the performance of departments in replying to Members/Peers correspondence. Information relating to 2008 will be published as soon as it has been collated. The report for 2007 was published on 20 March 2008,  Official Report, columns 71-74WS. Reports for earlier years are available in the Library of the House.
	In respect of other correspondence and emails from the public, only non-individually addressed correspondence is managed centrally. The information requested cannot be obtained save at disproportionate cost as to do so would require gathering information from every official in the Department.

Departmental Furniture

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent by her Department on furniture made by  (a) British firms,  (b) Remploy and  (c) overseas firms in each year since 2000.

Phil Woolas: The Department's accounting system does not hold the information at the requested level of detail. The information could not be provided and verified without incurring disproportionate cost.

Departmental Manpower

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff in her Department did not achieve an acceptable assessment grade in their annual report in the latest reporting year for which figures are available.

Phil Woolas: In the 2007-08 reporting year, and from the data available, 146 members of staff across Home Office headquarters, the UK Borders Agency (UKBA) and the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) did not achieve an acceptable assessment marking in their annual reports.
	The Criminal Records Bureau is able to provide this information only by reviewing individual paper records, and this would incur disproportionate cost.

Departmental Official Hospitality

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department spent on Ministerial hospitality in  (a) 2004-05,  (b) 2005-06,  (c) 2006-07 and  (d) 2007-08, expressed in current prices.

Phil Woolas: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	All spending on official entertainment is made in accordance with the principles set out in Managing Public Money.

Departmental Official Hospitality

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been spent on  (a) departmental Christmas parties and  (b) staff entertainment in the last three years.

Phil Woolas: No official funds were used for Christmas parties in the last three years: any parties attended are entirely at the cost of the individual member of staff. Expenditure on staff entertainment is tightly controlled, and is only incurred as part of the Home Office policy on staff reward and recognition, and where it is shown that alternative forms of recognition (such as saying thank you, providing vouchers, or a bonus) have been considered. The Department's accounting system shows that expenditure on reward and recognition has been:
	
		
			
			 2005-06 13,687.08 
			 2006-/07 57,963.78 
			 2007-/08 203,980.11 
		
	
	All Home Office expenditure on rewards and recognition, including staff entertainment, conforms to the principles of regularity, propriety and value for money, and any other guidance as applicable contained within Managing Public Money.
	The increase in expenditure is attributable to enhanced communication and senior management support of the reward and recognition policy, which in line with Central Government practice.
	For the Department's agencies, the Criminal Records Bureau and the Identity and Passport Service's spend could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Pay

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what bonuses were paid by her Department in 2007-08; to which members of staff; and for what purposes.

Phil Woolas: In Home Office Headquarters and the UK Border Agency staff in all grades are eligible in certain circumstances to receive two kinds of bonus: special bonuses (of up to 5 per cent. of salary but not exceeding 1,947) and end-of-year appraisal bonuses (of up to 4 per cent. of their pay scale's target rate). Special bonuses may be awarded at any time of the year for outstanding achievements by staff, including members of the senior civil service (SCS), in particularly demanding tasks or situations.
	End-of-year appraisal bonuses are made to individuals in grades below the SCS who have made an exceptional contribution throughout the year. Members of the SCS can be awarded performance bonuses as set out in the Senior Salaries Review Body report number 62.
	Staff in the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) receive end-of-year corporate Bonuses (up to 400), Change Agent bonuses (grades 6 and 7 only, up to 4 per cent. of salary) and special bonuses (upper limit normally 500).
	Staff in the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) do not receive end-of-year bonuses, but can receive special bonuses (up to 5 per cent. of their grade's salary scale). For reasons of confidentiality, we are unable to release the names of individuals who received bonuses. Tables 1 and 2 give details of the distribution by grade of special bonuses and end-of-year appraisal bonuses respectively.
	
		
			  Table 1: Special bonus 2007-08 
			   Number/ 
			 Total paid out () 2,680,642 
			 Number of payments made 4,577 
		
	
	
		
			  Grade  As percentage of payments 
			 AA and Equivalents 6 
			 AO and Equivalents 20 
			 EO and Equivalents 27 
			 HEO and Equivalents 11 
			 SEO and Equivalents 20 
			 G7 6 
			 G6 3 
			 SCS 4 
			 Support and secretarial 3 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: End-of-year appraisal bonus 2007-08 
			   Number/ 
			  Total paid out () 5,735,416 
			  Number of payments made 9,331 
		
	
	
		
			  Grade  As percentage of payments 
			 AA and Equivalents 3 
			 AO and Equivalents 14 
			 EO and Equivalents 34.50 
			 HEO and Equivalents 20 
			 SEO and Equivalents 14 
			 G7 8 
			 G6 4 
			 SCS 0.50 
			 Support and secretarial 2

Departmental Procurement

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the answer of 21 October 2008,  Official Report, column 259W, on departmental procurement, what payments the Identity and Passport Service made to Swingletree Stables in 2007-08; and for what purpose in each case.

Jacqui Smith: Two payments, totalling 300 were made to the Swingletree Stables in the 2007-08 financial year, as part of IPS's Adult Lifelong Learning (ALL) scheme.
	This employee development scheme has been set up to encourage staff personal development. It provides limited financial assistance to employees to undertake a course/activity in their own time that results in improved skills/knowledge.

Deportation

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the answer of 18 November,  Official Report, columns 318-9W, on deportation, how many of the 63,365 removals from the United Kingdom in 2007 were cases of  (a) enforced removals,  (b) persons refused entry at port and subsequently removed, including cases dealt with at juxtaposed controls,  (c) persons departing voluntarily after enforcement action had been initiated against them,  (d) persons leaving under assisted voluntary return programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration and  (e) persons whom it has been established have left the United Kingdom without informing the immigration authorities.

Phil Woolas: The following table shows the number of persons removed, departed voluntarily or left under assisted returns from the United Kingdom in 2007. Information on the number of enforced removals from the UK and persons departing voluntarily after enforcement action had been initiated against them are not separately identifiable. This combined category is available broken down to show the number of persons whom it has been established have left the United Kingdom without informing the Immigration Authorities. The figures are rounded to the nearest five and data for 2007 are provisional.
	Published statistics on immigration and asylum are placed in the Library of the House and are available from the Home Office's Research, Development and Statistics Directorate website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum-stats.html.
	
		
			  Removals, voluntary departures and assisted returns( 1) , by removal type, 2007 
			   Number of removals( 2) 
			  Period  2007( 3) 
			 Non-asylum cases refused entry at port and subsequently removed(4) 31,145 
			 Enforced removals including voluntary departures after enforcement action had been initiated(5, 6) 28,065 
			 of which:  
			 left the UK without informing the Immigration Authorities 6,885 
			 Assisted Voluntary Returns(7) 4,155 
			 Grand Total 63,365 
			 (1) Includes enforced removals, persons refused entry at port and subsequently removed (including cases dealt with at juxtaposed controls), persons departing voluntarily after enforcement action had been initiated against them, persons leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration and persons who it has been established have left the UK without informing the immigration authorities. (2) Figures are rounded to the nearest five and may not sum to the totals shown because of independent rounding. (3) Provisional (4) Includes cases dealt with at juxtaposed controls, persons departing voluntarily after enforcement action had been initiated against them and removals which have been performed by Immigration Officers at ports using enforcement powers. (5) Includes persons who it has been established have left the UK without informing the immigration authorities. (6) Excludes Assisted Voluntary Returns. (7) Persons leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration. May include some cases where enforcement action has been initiated.

Deportation

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people eligible to remain in the UK under the DP5/96 concession have been deported since 2001.

Jacqui Smith: Information on the number of people deported under the DP5/96 concession is not available and could be obtained only by the detailed examination of individual records at disproportionate cost.

Deportation: Children

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many children were awaiting deportation from the UK on 1 December 2008;
	(2)  how many children were awaiting deportation to  (a) Zimbabwe,  (b) Democratic Republic of Congo,  (c) Sudan,  (d) Georgia and  (e) Somalia on 1 December 2008.

Phil Woolas: holding answer 15 December 2008
	The UK Border Agency seeks to deport all foreign nationals who are convicted of committing serious crimes in the United Kingdom. It only deports children who are part of family groups, or, where the child is unaccompanied, where there are adequate and safe reception arrangements in place. In order to obtain the exact information requested it would be necessary to conduct checks of individual case files; this would incur a disproportionate cost.
	The Home Office publishes statistics on the number of asylum seekers who were removed, departed voluntarily or left under assisted returns from the UK by country of nationality, age and sex on an annual basis.
	The latest published annual information for 2007 can be found in the House Library.

Deportation: Offenders

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the answer of 20 November 2008,  Official Report, column 721W, on deportation: offenders, if she will list the grounds for deportation relating to national security other than suspected involvement in terrorism.

Jacqui Smith: Any foreign national who represents a threat to the national security of the United Kingdom will be considered for deportation action.
	Involvement in terrorism would be one ground for regarding an individual as a threat to our national security. Other possible grounds include involvement in espionage, sabotage, or the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, or seeking to overthrow or undermine parliamentary democracy by political, industrial or violent means.

Deportation: Offenders

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the answer of 20 November 2008,  Official Report, column 721W, on deportation: offenders, where the 19 individuals whose deportation has been discontinued are residing.

Jacqui Smith: I am unable to answer this question as some of the individuals are subject to court orders preventing any personal information regarding their cases being placed in the public domain. Additionally it would not be prudent to place such personal information onto official public records.

Deportation: Offenders

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the answer of 20 November 2008,  Official Report, column 721W, on deportation: offenders, when the six individuals deported after they were certified under Part 4 of the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 were deported.

Jacqui Smith: The six individuals referred to in the question who were previously certified under part 4 of the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 were deported between June 2006 and July 2007. They were all deported using deportation with assurances powers.

Deportation: Offenders

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the answer of 20 November 2008,  Official Report, column 721W, on deportation: offenders, where the nine individuals certified under Part 4 of the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 who have not been deported are residing.

Jacqui Smith: I am unable to fully answer this question as some of the individuals are subject to court orders preventing any personal information regarding their cases being placed in the public domain. Additionally, it would not be prudent to place such personal information onto official public records, however I can confirm that one of these individuals has been extradited to France.

Detention Centres: Suicide

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have committed suicide while being held in an immigration centre in each of the last 10 years, broken down by  (a) centre,  (b) age and  (c) sex.

Jacqui Smith: There have been seven self-inflicted deaths in immigration removal centres during this period detailed as follows. All were failed asylum seekers or other immigration offenders awaiting removal.
	One in Haslar, aged 42. Two in Harmondsworth, ages were 31 and 26. One in Dungavel, aged 23. One in Colnbrook, aged 24. One in Campsfield, aged 18. One in Yarl's Wood, aged 35. All the individuals were male.

Domestic Violence

David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many reports of causing or allowing the death of a child or vulnerable person contrary to section 5 of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 were made to the police in  (a) 2005-06,  (b) 2006-07 and  (c) 2007-08.

Alan Campbell: The available information relates to recorded offences of causing or allowing the death of a child or vulnerable person. There were five offences recorded in 2005-06, three recorded in 2006-07 and four recorded in 2007-08.

Drugs: Crime

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she plans to introduce a penalty notice for disorder as a sanction for the possession of  (a) any other Class B drugs besides cannabis and  (c) any Class C drugs.

Jacqui Smith: No. The Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 (Amendment) Order 2009 seeks to extend the Penalty Notice for Disorder Scheme to the possession of cannabis only. There are no plans to extend the scheme to other Class B drugs or any Class C drugs.

Entry Clearances: Moldova

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will establish a visa regime applicable to categories of persons wishing to visit the UK from Moldova at the same time as the analogous EU arrangements are put in place.

Phil Woolas: holding answer 16 December 2008
	The UK has a visa regime in place for visitors from Moldova. The EU-Moldova visa facilitation agreement entered into force on 1 January 2008. It was concluded under an element of the Schengen acquis in which the UK does not participate. The agreements do, however, contain provisions recommending that the UK concludes bilateral visa-facilitation agreements. Although the UK is under no formal obligation, we intend to do so however, formal negotiations have yet to commence with Moldova.

Genetics: Databases

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) crime scene and  (b) police officer DNA profiles have been removed from the national DNA database in each month of the last five years; and if she will make a statement.

Alan Campbell: The number of crime scene DNA profiles removed from the National DNA Database (NDNAD) for police forces in England and Wales in each month of the last five years is given in Table 1.
	The DNA profiles of police officers and staff taken for contamination elimination purposes are not held on the NDNAD, but on the Police Elimination Database (PED), which is entirely separate from the NDNAD. The number of police officer and staff DNA profiles that have been removed from the PED in each month of the last five years is given in Table 2.
	
		
			  Table 1: Number of crime scene profiles removed from the NDNAD for forces in England and Wales 
			   2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09 to date 
			 April 870 4,050 3,752 3,102 1,509 2,898 
			 May 1365 3,234 1,903 1,896 1,593 2,036 
			 June 1094 2,569 2,024 1,722 1,760 2,433 
			 July 2066 3,035 4,278 2,693 1,974 1,730 
			 August 1,874 1,574 2,025 4,898 1,956 2,263 
			 September 2,645 1,158 2,363 3,206 1,389 1,472 
			 October 1,673 3,151 1,588 1,975 1,353 2,528 
			 November 2,313 3,076 2,883 1,503 2,320 879 
			 December 1,411 21,076 1,601 3,175 2,435 245 
			 January 3,442 2,862 2,807 4,111 6,542  
			 February 3,035 6,218 2,459 2,013 2,494  
			 March 2,219 1,254 1,919 1,677 2,153  
			 Total 24,007 53,257 29,602 31,971 27,478 16,484 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Number of profiles removed from the PED for forces in England and Wales 
			   2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09 to date 
			 April 58 161 155 414 189 201 
			 May 123 203 181 175 248 303 
			 June 88 196 161 142 331 170 
			 July 161 131 134 215 292 363 
			 August 122 127 149 302 535 325 
			 September 92 189 134 173 292 174 
			 October 120 197 161 240 235 1131 
			 November 236 211 186 169 209 308 
			 December 131 197 179 174 190 113 
			 January 228 135 153 129 393  
			 February 234 155 224 165 342  
			 March 135 120 173 261 141  
			 Total 1,728 2,022 1,990 2,559 3,397 3,088

Genetics: Databases

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate her Department has made of the number of incidents where personal information and DNA samples which  (a) were to be loaded onto the national DNA database and  (b) have been loaded onto the national DNA database have been lost; and if she will make a statement.

Alan Campbell: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 17 December 2008,  Official Report, column 859W, to the hon. Member for Cardiff, Central (Jenny Willott).

Hatton Cross Tribunals

Richard Benyon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the answer of 26 November 2008,  Official Report, column 2258W, on Hatton Cross Tribunals, when she plans to write to the hon. Member for Newbury; and if she will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: holding answer 15 December 2008
	I wrote to the hon. Member on 9 December 2008 in response to PQs 226752 and 239031.

Human Trafficking

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are in place to deal with people who are identified as having been trafficked.

Maria Eagle: I have been asked to reply.
	The Ministry of Justice and the Home Office jointly funds the Poppy project to provide specialist, high-level support to victims of human trafficking for sexual exploitation. Victims are provided with a 30 day reflection period, accommodation, advocacy support, access to counselling, interpretative services, access to immigration legal advice, resettlement support and a range of other services to meet their individual needs. The Poppy project also has outreach teams. This year the Government piloted support services for victims trafficked into domestic servitude and forced labour.
	We ratified the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings on 17 December 2008 and will come into force in April 2009. This will see the introduction of a 45 day minimum reflection period and one-year temporary residence permits, both of which will be extendable in certain circumstances. We will also introduce a national support service model with an increased number of supported accommodation places.

Human Trafficking

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when her Department notified the Metropolitan Police that her Department's funding of the Metropolitan Police human trafficking unit would cease; what representations she has received from the Metropolitan Police on this matter; and if she will place in the Library copies of the correspondence she has  (a) sent and  (b) received on the matter.

Jacqui Smith: Following discussions with the MPS we have agreed, exceptionally, to provide funding which will enable the MPS to maintain the trafficking team for 2009-10 and to ensure that this work is mainstreamed into the existing budget. The funding has been offered on the basis that the full cost of the trafficking team is met solely from the MPS budget as from 1 April 2010.
	The MPS were informed by ACPO of the grant available for the current financial year in early 2008.
	On one previous occasion the MPS wrote to the Home Office about this matter. It was made clear to the MPS at the time, that as core police business the funding of the trafficking team should be met from within their existing budget.

Human Trafficking

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the number of people who have been trafficked who are  (a) in the UK and  (b) working as prostitutes in the UK.

Alan Campbell: The nature of the crime makes it difficult to provide an accurate assessment of the scale of the problem faced by the United Kingdom.
	The latest estimate is that at any one time in 2003 there were up to 4,000 women in the UK who had been trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation.
	We have no estimate of the scale of trafficking for non sexual purposes.

Human Trafficking: Children

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many children rescued from human traffickers have subsequently been put up in bed and breakfast accommodation in each of the last five years;
	(2)  where children rescued from human traffickers are accommodated.

Jacqui Smith: There are no central records on the type of accommodation provided for trafficked children. When a child is identified as a victim of trafficking a full assessment is made of their circumstances and needs by a designated social worker as required by section 20 of the Children Act 1989. Should there be an imminent risk of harm then child protection procedures under Section 47 of the Act should be invoked. Following these assessments it will be for the local authority to determine the exact nature of accommodation provided.

Human Trafficking: Children

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether  (a) the use of safe accommodation at the Poppy Project is available for children who are victims of human trafficking and  (b) there is safe accommodation providing 24-hour care for trafficked children.

Jacqui Smith: The POPPY project was established exclusively to support and accommodate adult women who have been trafficked for sexual exploitation and does not therefore accommodate child victims.
	When a child is identified as a victim of trafficking, a full assessment is made of their circumstances and needs by a social worker as required by section 20 of the Children Act 1989. If on the basis of this assessment, the child is unaccompanied and there is no suitable adult to take responsibility for their care; or the child appears to be lost or abandoned, then there will be a presumption that the child will need to become a looked-after child. Where it is judged that the child would be best looked after under foster care or in a children's home, then 24-hour care will be provided.

Human Trafficking: Children

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether her Department has assessed the possibility that rescued children who are victims of human trafficking may still be under the control of traffickers while they are in local authority care.

Jacqui Smith: The Government acknowledges that some rescued trafficked children placed in local authority care may still be vulnerable to their trafficker. In December 2007 the Government published Working Together to Safeguard Children Who May Have Been Trafficked. This multi agency guidance provides comprehensive information on how a child should be protected from their trafficker and of the risks of a child being re-trafficked.

Human Trafficking: Sentencing

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the maximum sentence is for human trafficking offences.

Jacqui Smith: The maximum sentence is 14 years imprisonment. The courts have the power to impose an additional fine on those convicted.

Human Trafficking: Victims

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what public funding is available for victims of trafficking to the UK from  (a) the first group of EU accession countries,  (b) the second group of EU accession countries and  (c) Romania and Bulgaria who wish to return to their home countries; and what steps are taken to (i) accompany such people to the airport of departure and (ii) ensure support and advice is available to them in their home country.

Phil Woolas: No public funding is currently available for victims of trafficking to the UK for EEA (European economic area) nationals who wish to return to their home countries.

Identity Cards: Biometrics

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long the biometric information will be retained in respect of foreign nationals issued with a biometric identity card after the individual concerned has returned permanently to their home country.

Phil Woolas: The UK Borders Act 2007 provides for biometric information collected by the Secretary of State to be retained as long as retention of that data is necessary. The specified functions, for example, include functions under the Immigration Acts or for the prevention or detection of an offence. Where an individual leaves the UK permanently, his biometric data will only be retained in circumstances where they continue to be of use for the purposes prescribed in the regulations. Retention of biometric information will therefore enable the UK Border Agency to identify those who may seek to abuse immigration control by returning to the UK in a false identity, and help to assure the identity of those who are entitled to be here.
	The biometric information collected will be destroyed if it is no longer of use for those specified purposes. It will also be destroyed if the person proves that they are a British citizen or a Commonwealth citizen with a right of abode. The exception to this is where the information is retained in accordance with, and for the purposes of, another enactment (that is, where Parliament has already approved retention of information for a particular purpose) for example under the Identity Cards Act 2006.

Identity Cards: Concessions

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reductions in the full price of an identity card she plans to offer  (a) pensioners,  (b) students and  (c) those on income support.

Jacqui Smith: The Identity Cards Act Secondary legislation consultation paper, published on 21 November 2008, made clear that it is intended that the initial fee for an identity card issued in 2009 and 2010 should be a standard fee of 30.
	In due course the Government intend to seek views on the price of identity cards or passports as part of the longer term roll out of the National Identity Scheme.

Identity Cards: ICT

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will list the electronic systems that will be used to store the  (a) biometric,  (b) biographical and  (c) administrative information of British citizens applying for identity cards in 2009.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 9 December 2008
	For the issue of ID cards in 2009, biometric and biographic information will be stored separately on secure systems being built by the supplier providing the technology for this stage of the National identity Scheme. Administrative information will also be held separately on the biographic system.

Illegal Immigrants: Employment

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her latest estimate of the number of foreign nationals working illegally in Northern Ireland is.

Phil Woolas: holding answer 15 December 2008
	Since the abolition of embarkation controls, which started in 1994, no government has ever been able to produce an accurate figure for the number of people who are in the country illegally and that includes those that might be working illegally.
	By the end of December 2008, the majority of foreign nationals will be counted in and out of the country.
	This is one part of the biggest shake up of border security and the immigration system in a generation which also includes the global roll-out of fingerprint visas, compulsory watch-list checks for all travellers from high risk countries before they land in Britain and ID cards for foreign nationals.
	The UK Border Agency is committed to tackling illegal migrant working and will act on any intelligence it receives that a business is employing illegal workers. Equally, if an employer is found to be employing an illegal migrant worker and they have not ensured that the person has full entitlement to work in the UK, then they may be subject to a civil penalty of up to 10,000 or, in more serious cases, criminal prosecution. If convicted on indictment, the employer may face an unlimited fine and in some cases, imprisonment for up to two years.

Ilois: Immigration

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many former Chagossians have been granted British citizenship in the last 10 years.

Phil Woolas: In the 10 years between 1998 and 2007, five people who were recorded as previously being residents of the British Indian Ocean Territories, formerly known as the Chagos Archipelago, applied for and were granted British citizenship in the United Kingdom. As usual this figure is rounded to five and is, at this stage, provisional.
	Statistics on persons granted British citizenship are published annually in Home Office National Statistics statistical bulletins. These publications may be obtained from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics website:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs08/hosb0508.pdf.

Immigration Controls

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the cost in each of the next five years of reintroducing exit checks for all people departing the United Kingdom.

Jacqui Smith: The UK Border Agency is committed to extending exit controls in stages, based on risk, identifying who overstays, and counting everyone in and out of the UK, while avoiding delays to travellers, by 2014.
	Over the next five years, the Agency will deliver the e-Borders programme, our primary mechanism for the delivery of this commitment. The cost of the programme over the next five years is set out in the following table. It is not possible to separate the costs of collecting outbound data from inbound data.
	
		
			   million 
			   2008-09  2008-10  2008-11  2008-12  2008-13  Total cost of programme over next five years 
			 Resource 31.5 48.6 42.2 52.6 57.9 232.9 
			 Capital 96.5 70.2 44.9 89.7 94.2 395.6 
			 Total 128.0 118.9 87.1 142.3 152.1 628.4 
		
	
	e-Borders is already receiving data for inbound and outbound services from a diverse range of carriers on some routes and has been since January 2005. This is supported by physical exit checks where operationally necessary.

Immigration: Airports

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times passengers arriving in UK airports on international flights have entered the country through the arrivals facilities for domestic flights in the last 12 months.

Jacqui Smith: The UK Border Agency is aware of 28 occasions when passengers from international flights were initially directed to a domestic arrivals area in the year since April 2008.

Immigration: Airports

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times arriving domestic passengers have been taken to international arrivals at each major UK airport in each of the last five years.

Jacqui Smith: The UK Border Agency does not routinely collect or store information on instances of domestic passengers being directed to international controls as this presents no risk to the security of the border.

Immigration: Appeals

Rob Marris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average length of time taken following an immigration appeal tribunal hearing was to  (a) notify in writing the decision to the applicant and  (b) send written notification of indefinite leave to remain to successful applicants in the latest period for which figures are available.

Phil Woolas: Information produced by the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal (AIT) shows that in the period April to November 2008 the average length of time taken following an Immigration Judge hearing to notify in writing the decision to the applicant was seven working days (for all case types including bails).
	For the same period, the average waiting time from hearing date to notifying the applicant of the decision in reconsideration hearings was 13 working days.
	Following promulgation of the decision all in country and out of country non asylum decisions are served by the AIT. In country decisions are deemed to be received within 48 hours, and out of country decisions within 28 days. All asylum determinations are sent to UKBA to serve within 28 days in accordance with the 2005 AIT Procedure Rules. On 15 October 2008 a new process to serve initial Regional Asylum Team determinations by post on receipt from the AIT was implemented. Determinations are served on the appellant/representative within 48 hours of being received. This process saves a significant amount of time and speeds up the Asylum process.
	Information on the average length of time taken following an immigration appeal tribunal hearing to send written notification of indefinite leave to remain to successful applicants is not available. This could only be obtained at disproportionate cost by examination of individual case records.

Immigration: Detainees

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many detainees in the Immigration Removal Centre at  (a) Oakington,  (b) Yarl's Wood and  (c) Dungavel have accessed legal advice since 2003.

Jacqui Smith: This information is not recorded either locally at the removal centres or centrally.

Justice and Home Affairs Council

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the written ministerial statement of 4 December 2008,  Official Report, columns 9-11WS, on the Justice and Home Affairs Council, when the Government expects the EU to meet the United Nations Commission on Human Rights target for 10,000 Iraqi refugees to be offered protection in the EU; how many such refugees it is anticipated that  (a) the UK and  (b) other member states will accommodate; and whether the number that the UK plans to host is in addition to those to whom the Government has already agreed to grant humanitarian protection by virtue of their work for the armed forces.

Phil Woolas: It was agreed at the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 27-28 November that EU member states will consider the resettlement of up to 10,000 Iraqi refugees. This target includes those already resettled or who member states have already planned to resettle under current plans. Participation is voluntary.
	The UK has committed to resettling 1,000 Iraqi refugees over the course of two years. This number is already planned for by the UK and includes the 600 Iraqis that the UK Government have agreed to resettle because they worked for the British forces or Foreign and Commonwealth Office in Iraq, where they meet the established resettlement criteria. The UK will not be in a position to provide additional spaces to this.
	European Union member states will be asked to make their intentions on resettlement of Iraqi refugees clear in the near future. To date, it is not known how many Iraqi refugees other member states will resettle.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she will reply to the letter to her of 20 October from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mrs. Naseem Ahmed.

Jacqui Smith: I wrote to the right hon. Member on 8 December 2008.

Members: Correspondence

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Maidenhead of 23 October regarding her constituent Ms Ali.

Phil Woolas: The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Hackney, South and Shoreditch, (Meg Hillier) wrote to the right hon. Member on 9 December 2008.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to reply to the letter to her dated 30 October 2008 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. Sehir Hussain.

Jacqui Smith: I wrote to the right hon. Member on 22 December 2008.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to reply to the letter to her dated 3 November 2008 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. Luis Lamb.

Jacqui Smith: I wrote to the right hon. Member on 6 January 2009.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to reply to the letter to her dated 28 October 2008 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. Benmeddah.

Jacqui Smith: I wrote to the right hon. Member on 5 January 2009.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to reply to the letter to her dated 7 November 2008 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. Hidal Ibrahim Takroori.

Jacqui Smith: I wrote to the right hon. Member on 5 January 2009.

Metropolitan Police: Motor Vehicles

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many vehicles in use by the Metropolitan Police were manufactured outside the UK.

Vernon Coaker: Individual police forces make all their vehicle purchasing and leasing decisions locally, therefore, this information is not held centrally. This is a matter for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.

National Identity Card Scheme Strategic Suppliers Group

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the companies which comprise the National Identity Card Scheme Strategic Suppliers Group have not signed the non-disclosure agreement.

Meg Hillier: holding answer 15 December 2008
	 All five suppliers who comprise the strategic supplier group for the National Identity Scheme have signed a non-disclosure agreement.

National Identity Register

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the number of  (a) individual records on the National Identity Register which will require amendment and  (b) amendments to the National Identity Register which will be submitted in each year.

Meg Hillier: It is estimated that around 14 per cent. of the addresses on the National Identity Register will be changed each year, together with a much smaller number of other changes to update individual records on the National Identity Register. The precise number of changes each year will depend on the number of entries held on the National Identity Register which can not be determined until it is in full operation.

National Policing Improvement Agency: Airwave Service

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Airwave handsets issued to the National Policing Improvement Agency have been lost in each year since their introduction; and how many handsets issued to the Agency have been disabled by the service provider through  (a) loss,  (b) breakage and  (c) other reasons in each such year.

Vernon Coaker: The National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) is not aware of any handsets issued to them having been lost since the NPIA legally vested in April 2007. In November 2008, two Airwave handsets were mislaid for approximately five hours. As a precautionary measure these were disabled from operating on the network.

Oakington Immigration Removal Centre

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many detainees  (a) with and  (b) without a criminal condition there are in Immigration Removal Centre Oakington.

Jacqui Smith: Oakington removal centre holds up to 408 detainees, foreign national ex-prisoners make up on average around one quarter of the centre's population. Local management information shows that on 14 December 2008 there were 103 foreign national ex-prisoners in Oakington.

Oakington Immigration Removal Centre

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the male detainees in Immigration Removal Centre Oakington have family members being held in another immigration removal centre.

Jacqui Smith: We do not hold the data requested centrally.
	However, it is the UK Border Agency's policy to keep family members together.

Olympic Games 2012: Security

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects to publish her estimate of the likely security costs arising from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Vernon Coaker: The then Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport my right hon. Friend the Member for Dulwich and West Norwood (Tessa Jowell) announced on 15 March 2007 that the overall budget for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games included a 600 million envelope of provision for policing and wider security. This is on top of the ODA budget for security of 354 million and the provision that LOCOG has set aside for in-venue security. An additional 238 million will be made available for contingency if required. Work is continuing to finalise the security strategy and plans within these funding estimates.

Overseas Visitors: Japan

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Japanese citizens visited the UK in  (a) 2007 and  (b) 2006.

Phil Woolas: The number of Japanese nationals given leave to enter the United Kingdom as visitors in 2006 and 2007 is given in the following table. The information shown is based on landing card information and may include the same individuals more than once if they visited the United Kingdom on multiple occasions in the period.
	Statistics on passengers given leave to enter the United Kingdom by purpose of journey and nationality are published annually in table 2.3 of the Home Office publications Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom which are available in the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs08/hosb1008.pdf.
	Table 2.3 gives details of other reasons that Japanese nationals entered the UK each year.
	
		
			  Japanese nationals given leave to enter the United Kingdom by purpose of journey, 2006 and 2007. United Kingdom 
			   Number of journeys 
			  Passengers admitted, by purpose of journey  2006( 1)  2007( 2, 3) 
			 Total admitted 563,000 521,000 
			  of which:   
			 Visitors 339,000 318,000 
			  of which:   
			 Ordinary 238,000 217,000 
			 Business 102,000 101,000 
			 (1 )Due to some gaps in the data from ports, estimates have been used. (2 )May understate due to some administrative records on non-EEA nationals being unavailable for statistical analysis. (3 )Provisional.  Note: Data rounded to three significant figures.

Passports: Biometrics

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost of each  (a) biometric passport reader and  (b) identity card reader is expected to be.

Jacqui Smith: Readers for the current first generation of e-passport, incorporating facial image biometrics, are already in place at immigration posts at the United Kingdom border. Precise costs for readers for the second generation of e-passports and identity cards, incorporating fingerprint biometrics, are not yet available.

Passports: Finance

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the annual resource costs of providing passports to British citizens were in each of the last five years.

Jacqui Smith: The annual expenditure of providing passports services for British nationals in each of the last five financial years was:
	
		
			million 
			 2007-08 367.8 
			 2006-07 353.6 
			 2005-06 263.9 
			 2004-05 219.4 
			 2003-04 171.3 
		
	
	The resource costs of providing passports to British nationals is recovered by the fees charged in accordance with HM Treasury guidance. Passport fee levels are reviewed annually with HM Treasury to ensure they remain at appropriate cost recovery levels.

Piracy

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people originally detained by the Royal Navy, other agencies or foreign navies who are known or suspected of being involved in piracy and other crimes in the Indian Ocean off the coast of east Africa have  (a) applied for,  (b) been granted asylum in the UK and  (c) been allowed into the UK for an asylum claim to be considered in each of the last five years.

Phil Woolas: Information on the number of people who have  (a) applied for entry to the United Kingdom  (b) been granted entry to the United Kingdom and  (c) applied for asylum at a port of entry who had at some point previously been detained by the Royal Navy, other agencies or foreign navies, who are known or suspected of being involved in piracy and other crimes in the Indian Ocean off the coast of east Africa, is not collated.

Police: Bureaucracy

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment has been carried out of the effect on the amount of police paperwork of moving responsibility for charging decisions from police forces to the Crown Prosecution Service under the statutory charging initiative.

Jacqui Smith: Although no specific assessment has been carried out on its impact on police paperwork, a full independent evaluation of the pilot exercise identified a number of significant benefits of statutory charging for the criminal justice system at large, including the police service.
	One of the main benefits of the scheme is the early dialogue between a police officer and a duty prosecutor. This consultation enables those cases that are evidentially weak, which can not be strengthened to meet the Code for Crown prosecutors, to be stopped there and then. Under previous arrangements these cases would have entered the court system. A costly and often ineffective exchange of correspondence between the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and police would follow in an attempt to obtain evidence to support the individual case. A high percentage of these cases were then discontinued later in the process, often after several court appearances and after the police had expended additional and unnecessary effort in trying to obtain evidence.
	A further benefit has been the improved relationships between police and CPS from close partnership working that has enabled them to better manage other linked initiatives including the Criminal Justice Simple, Speedy Summary (CJSSS) and the Streamlined Process that have improved case management and reduced delay in the courts.
	There are several other benefits to the police. Dialogue with a Duty Prosecutor enables borderline and more complex cases to be strengthened, and police officers can be directed at that point to supply only what is really required in terms of the evidence needed to support the case. The original business case for statutory charging also points to further benefits for the police through the potential to enhance the police skills base in dealing with evidential issues as a result of early dialogue with the CPS. The business case predicted that around 238,000 cases per annum would be charged by the CPS and a further 20,000 would be stopped at the point of charge. The benefits to the police in the original business case for statutory charging were estimated to be 6.5 million based on this prediction of caseload.
	In practice the benefits to the police are far greater than this. With 550,000 cases now being considered by the CPS each year, the number of cases that are stopped at the point of charge which fail to meet the code test was 160,000 during 2007-08 which provides substantially more benefit to the police than was originally estimated in the business case.
	The Government take all aspects of police bureaucracy very seriously and we continue to keep the implications of the charging process, in respect of the amount of paperwork involved, under close review.
	I have now appointed Jan Berry as our national independent advocate for achieving reductions in police bureaucracy. I have asked her to identify and examine a number of key policing processes and to make recommendations on how these could be reformed to reduce the amount of paperwork generated for officers. The impact of statutory charging on police paperwork is within the scope of Jan Berry's work.

Police: Complaints

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will bring forward proposals to require the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) to inform her Department of the number of complaints to the IPCC which have been  (a) made and  (b) upheld; if she will publish such information on receipt; and if she will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is required by law to collate and publish a report presenting statistics on complaints recorded by police forces in England and Wales. Along with other statistical data, the reports contain information on complaints made and upheld. The reports are prepared by the IPCC and laid before Parliament on an annual basis. Reports from 2004-05 can be found on the IPCC website at the following link:
	http://www.ipcc.gov.uk/index/resources/research/stats.htm
	The Home Office has no plans to issue a statement.

Police: Complaints

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the answer of 17 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 155-56W, on police complaints, if she will obtain this information from the Independent Police Complaints Commission and place it in the Library; and if she will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: Issues relating to the implementation of recommendations is a matter for the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Police: Essex

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) police officers and  (b) operational police officers per head of population there were in Essex Police on average in 2008 to date; what discussions she has had with the Chief Constable of Essex police force about this issue; and if she will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: The available data are given in the following table.
	The deployment of police officers to operational and other duties is a matter for the Chief Constable.
	
		
			  Police officer strength for Essex police force, as at 31 March 2008 (FTE)( 1,2) 
			  Police force  Total officers per 100,000 population  Total operational officers per 100,000 population 
			 Essex(3) 203 196 
			 (1) Full-time equivalent. This figure includes those on career breaks or the nearest whole number. (2) Because of rounding, there may be an apparent discrepancy between totals and the sums of the constituent items. (3) Functional group totals do not match published figures. Data quality may be an issue with this force.

Police: Essex

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers employed by Essex Police will be made  (a) voluntarily and  (b) compulsorily redundant in 2008-09; at what cost; and if she will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: Police officers cannot be made redundant as they hold the Office of Constable and are not employees of the police authority.

Police: Essex

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) police officers and  (b) civilian staff of each age group and sex were employed by Essex Police and its predecessor bodies in (i) 1979, (ii) 1989, (iii) 1999 and (iv) each year since 2001.

Vernon Coaker: The available data are given in the following tables.
	
		
			  Table 1: Police officer strength (FTE)( 1)  for Essex police force as at 31 March 
			  As at 31 March each year  Female officers  Male officers 
			 1979 202 2,259 
			 1989 250 2,496 
			 1999 477 2,414 
			 2001 468 2,419 
			 2002 512 2,433 
			 2003 590 2,417 
			 2004 669 2,451 
			 2005 728 2,502 
			 2006 787 2,535 
			 2007 860 2,480 
			 2008 906 2,479 
			 (1) Full-time equivalent figures that have been rounded to the nearest whole number. Because of rounding there may be an apparent discrepancy between totals and the sums of constituent items. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Police staff strength (headcount) for Essex police force as at 31 March( 1) 
			  As at 31 March each year  Female staff  Male staff 
			 1999 972 429 
			 2001 1,064 510 
			 2002 1,147 568 
			 2003 1,219 625 
			 2004 1,342 722 
			 2005 1,416 750 
			 2006 1,407 763 
			 2007 1,346 773 
			 2008 1,406 784 
			 (1) Data available from 1998 onwards. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 3: Provisional numbers of Essex police force officers by age band (headcount)( 1)  as at 31 March( 2) 
			  As at 31 March each year  25 and under  26 to 40  41 to 55  Over 55 
			 2003 353 1630 1046 11 
			 2004 406 1696 1048 15 
			 2005 460 1719 1080 19 
			 2006 483 1766 1105 20 
			 2007 517 1592 1267 21 
			 2008 528 396 1290 32 
			 (1) Provisional data that have not been validated by force. Totals may not match those published elsewhere. (2) Data available from 2003 onwards. 
		
	
	
		
			  T able  4: Provisional numbers of Essex police force staff by age band (headcount)( 1)  as at 31 March( 2) 
			  As at 31 March each year  25 and under  26 to 40  41 to 55  Over 55 
			 2003 203 614 722 307 
			 2004 250 674 742 398 
			 2005 235 678 768 485 
			 2006 277 674 757 462 
			 2007 235 606 785 509 
			 2008 252 633 786 543 
			 (1) Provisional data that have not been validated by force. Totals may not match those published elsewhere. (2) Data available from 2003 onwards.

Police: Essex

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers of each rank have voluntarily ceased employment, other than through redundancy, in Essex Police since June 2007.

Vernon Coaker: The available data are the number of full-time equivalent police officer voluntary resignations from Essex police force during 2007-08 (1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008). The data given have been rounded to the nearest whole number.
	During this time no officers in any of the chief officer, chief superintendent, superintendent or chief inspector ranks resigned.
	Two inspectors, 10 sergeants, and 61 constables resigned during this time.

Police: Essex

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what the average annual rate of sickness absence was in  (a) Southend police and (b) Essex Police in each year since 2001;
	(2)  how many and what proportion of working days were lost due to  (a) sickness and  (b) stress, anxiety or depression in (i) Southend police and (ii) Essex police in each year since 2001.

Vernon Coaker: The available data relating to police sickness absence are for the amount of police officer and police staff working time lost to sickness, and have been centrally collected from 2002-03 onwards only. The data are published annually on the Home Office website, located at:
	http://www.police.homeoffice.gov.uk/performance-and-measurement/performance-assessment/
	For 2002-03 and 2003-04, the data are given in the 2003-04 Police Performance Monitoring report, in the form of police officer days lost per person (headcount) per year. For 2004-05 onwards, the data are given in the annual Police Performance Assessment reports, in the form of average number of police officer hours lost per person (headcount) per year. For 2006-07 onwards, this headcount measure was changed to a full-time equivalent measure.
	Links are provided for the following years, relating to Essex police. The required data can be found under the headings resource use or resources and efficiency:
	 2002-03 to 2003-04:
	http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/performance-and-measurement/Essex.pdf
	 2004-05:
	http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/performanceandmeasurement/performanceassessment/assessments-2004-2005/essex?view=Indicator
	 2005-06:
	http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/performanceandmeasurement/performanceassessment/assessments-2005-2006/essex?view=Indicator
	 2006-07:
	http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/performanceandmeasurement/performanceassessment/assessments-2006-2007/essex?view=Indicator
	 2007-08:
	http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/performanceandmeasurement/performanceassessment/assessments-2007-2008/essex?view=Indicator#resources

Police: Essex

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many police officers in Essex Police of each sex took early retirement in each year since 2001;
	(2)  how many police officers who were facing disciplinary charges in Essex Police retired on grounds of ill health  (a) before and  (b) after disciplinary hearings were completed in each of the last five years.

Vernon Coaker: Under the Police Pensions Regulations 1987 police officers can retire with an ordinary pension if they have at least 25 years' service. The regulations do not provide for early retirement as such, except ill-health retirement on the ground of permanent disablement for the performance of the ordinary duties of a member of the force. The number of ill-health retirements from Essex police between 2000-01 and 2004-05 is given in the following table. HM Inspectorate of Constabulary no longer publish or collect data on numbers of ill-health retirements and figures after 2004-05 are not available.
	Data on numbers of officers retiring on ill-health or other grounds in the period between having been informed that they are to appear before a disciplinary hearing and the completion of those proceedings are not held centrally.
	
		
			  Ill-health retirements, Essex police 
			   Number 
			 2000-01 34 
			 2001-02 32 
			 2002-03 21 
			 2003-04 16 
			 2004-05 13

Police: Essex

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average response time to calls made to the police in  (a) Essex and  (b) Southend was in each year since 1997; what guidance her Department has given on average response times; what steps her Department takes to monitor police force response times; and if she will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: This information is not held centrally. This is a matter for the chief constable of Essex police.
	Response times to calls, both emergency and non-emergency, is a fundamental part of the Policing Pledge introduced by the Home Secretary in the Policing Green Paper. By the end of the year all forces in England and Wales will aim to answer 999 calls within 10 seconds, deploying to emergencies immediately and giving an estimated time of arrival. All non-emergency calls should also be answered promptly and if attendance is needed an estimated time of arrival will be given.
	The Policing Green Paper sets out the new relationship between the Government, police and public and the HMIC will validate the delivery of the Pledge, including response times, through their inspection process. Police authorities will also wish to be satisfied that the Pledge is being delivered for local people and the public can raise it locally with the police themselves or through their police authority if they feel that the standards within the Pledge are not being met.

Police: Finance

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate has been made of the total implementation cost of the measures in the Policing Green Paper, published on 17 July 2008.

Jacqui Smith: The estimated costs of implementing measures contained in the Policing Green Paper were set out in the nine impact assessments completed as part of the development process. Copies of the assessments are available on-line at:
	http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police-reform/GP_IA/

Police: Firearms

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which police forces do not have dedicated armed response units.

Jacqui Smith: All 43 police forces in England and Wales have dedicated armed response units. Details of the number of authorised firearms officers in England and Wales are published on an annual basis and can be found on the Home Office website at:
	http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/operational-policing/police-firearms-statistics-06-1.

Police: Medals

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons the Police Long Service Medal requires longer qualification service than other equivalent long service medals awarded to military or civilian personnel.

Vernon Coaker: The Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (PLS and GCM) was the first UK civilian emergency service long service medal introduced (Fire 1954, Ambulance 1996 and Prisons 2008) and therefore, when it was instituted, the qualification period was not at variance with any other existing civilian emergency service long service medal. It should be noted that the award criteria vary for all these medals, with some not including a good conduct element and others requiring that a considerable period of front-line duty is served, in order to qualify. Military long service medals relate to different service criteria and work patterns to civilian medals and therefore any comparisons to civilian equivalents would be inappropriate.

Police: Moldova

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  if she will establish an exchange programme between the UK and Moldova police to improve co-operation to reduce serious organised crime;
	(2)  if she will make arrangements with her Moldovan counterpart for regular bilateral consultations to implement the provisions of the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding between the UK and Moldova.

Alan Campbell: holding answer 16 December 2008
	SOCA undertakes limited but productive bilateral co-operation with its counterparts in Moldova. This co-operation is underpinned by a Memorandum of Understanding on Co-operation in the fight against Serious Crime, Organised Crime, Illicit Drug Trafficking and In Like Matters of Mutual Interest, of 17 January 2001, signed by ACPO, HM Customs and Excise, Serious Fraud Office, the Crown Prosecution Service of England and Wales, the National Crime Squad and the National Criminal Intelligence Service. SOCA has assumed the interests and responsibilities of the last two agencies following its establishment in 2006.
	SOCA welcomes any opportunity to improve its collaboration with overseas partners.

Police: Occupational Health

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what standards are in place for the provision of occupational health services for armed police officers; and what arrangements are made for the monitoring of the  (a) physical and  (b) mental health of such officers.

Jacqui Smith: The provision of occupational health services for police officers and police staff is the responsibility of the individual chief constable and police authority. All forces have a clearly defined duty of care to their personnel under health and safety legislation.

Police: Pay

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the Policing Green Paper of July 2008, what mechanism is in place to assess chief constables' performance and performance-related pay.

Jacqui Smith: Chief constables' performance is assessed through performance and development reviews (PDRs) which include consideration of their objectives and development plans. The Green Paper explains that we will in future give police authorities the lead role in this process. Chief constables' performance pay is based on the PDR assessment and is determined by the Police Authority in consultation with HM Inspectorate of Constabulary.

Police: Pay

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what criteria are used to determine whether police constables in Essex Police receive a bonus; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  how much each police officer in Essex Police has received in bonuses in each of the last three years; and what the rank of each such officer was;
	(3)  what the average salary of a serving police officer of each rank in Essex police force was in each year since 2001;
	(4)  how much each police officer in Essex Police has received in bonuses in each of the last three financial years; and what the rank of each was.

Vernon Coaker: The criteria for bonuses for constables are set out in police regulations and are that an officer may receive a payment of between 50 and 500 at the discretion of the chief officer for a piece of work that is outstandingly demanding, unpleasant or important. Information about amounts paid to individual officers and average salaries are not collected centrally.

Police: Standards

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what information each police force must provide to meet they are meeting the levels of service to the community set out in the police pledge;
	(2)  how her Department plans to assess each police force in order to determine whether it is meeting the police pledge.

Jacqui Smith: The Home Office will not directly assess forces on whether they are meeting the policing pledge. The pledge is a commitment from the police to the public and sets out clear minimum standards and public entitlement to services. All 43 chief constables have committed to deliver the pledge by the end of the year.
	If the public do not feel these standards are being met they can raise it locally with the police themselves or through their police authority.
	The Policing Green Paper explained the new relationship between the Government, police and public. The Home Office has now adopted a more strategic role allowing for grassroots accountability and an enhanced role for HMIC in providing public assurance about the quality and standard of policing in all forces. HMIC will therefore validate the delivery of the pledge by forces through their inspection process. Police authorities will also wish to be satisfied that the pledge is being delivered for local people.

Police: Standards

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the written ministerial statement of 8 December 2008,  Official Report, column 39WS, on strategic policing priorities, what indicators will be used to assess the strategic policing priorities for 2009-10.

Jacqui Smith: My strategic policing priorities (SPPs) provide a national strategic context within which police authorities set their local policing plans. The SPPs for 2009-10 emphasise the strategic context for local planning and accountability, as set out in the Policing Green Paper, so that forces tackle the issues that matter most locally in that national context and get best value for money for the public from the resources devoted to policing.
	The aim is to move to a system in which the police service is held to account much more at a local level. Police authorities are already required to issue a strategic plan which identifies the force's priorities and objectives over a three year rolling cycle and which must take into account my strategic policing priorities. Local accountability will be enhanced through the introduction of the policing pledge, to be underpinned by a set of local priorities, the publication of local information on crime and police activity and through raising the capacity and influence of police authorities to hold forces to account. A strengthened HMIC will act as guarantor of the public interest in inspecting forces and authorities.

Police: Standards

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 8 December 2008,  Official Report, column 39WS, on strategic policing priorities, what mechanisms are in place to measure police performance.

Jacqui Smith: Policing performance is measured through the Assessments of Policing And Community Safety (APACS) framework, which contains key performance indicators for the police working alone or in partnership. However, as set out in the Policing Green Paper: 'From the Neighbourhood to the National: Policing our Communities Together', the Home Office will in future no longer produce graded assessments against those indicators, which have been interpreted by some as de facto targets. Instead, HMIC will take the lead in making and publishing assessments of forces' overall performance, drawing on APACS performance indicators and other information.

Police: Suicide

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the number of police officers who committed suicide in each year since 2000.

Jacqui Smith: The information is not centrally collected.

Police: Telephone Services

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans she has to limit the use of 0800 non-emergency telephone numbers operated by police forces.

Vernon Coaker: It is a matter for individual police forces what number they use for non-emergency telephone contact. The Home Office has no plans to limit the use of 0800 numbers operated by police forces.

Police: Weapons

Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidelines have been issued to police forces regarding the use by officers of batons, with particular reference to whether there is any part of the body that should not be struck.

Vernon Coaker: The Association of Chief Police Officers' (ACPO) Personal Safety Manual of Guidance, which is administered by the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) on behalf of ACPO, to support and inform operational decision making and training to improve safety during the policing of violent and potentially violent situations.
	This guidance is a restricted document, as the majority of the information contained within it relates to operational policing in terms of techniques utilised by staff in the defence of themselves, their colleagues and others. The release of such information would be likely to prejudice the health and safety of officers and others in danger.
	There are no 'prescriptive' guidelines that are issued to officers in relation to the use of batons, and there are no areas of the body that officers are instructed should not be struck. However, the guidance makes it clear that the implications arising from the use of force are a matter for considered judgment. The use of force should be in accordance with the Criminal Law Act 1967 Section 3 (1), which states that:
	A person may use such force as is reasonable in the circumstances in the prevention of crime, or in effecting or assisting in the lawful arrest of offenders or suspected offenders or of persons unlawfully at large.

Research Information and Communications Unit

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff work in her Department's Research Information and Communication Unit; what forecast she has made of the unit's operation costs in  (a) 2008-09,  (b) 2009-10 and  (c) 2010-11; and if she will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: The Research, Information and Communications Unit is comprised of 29 permanent members of staff: 15 members of staff from the Home Office, eight members of staff from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and six members of staff from the Department for Communities and Local Government. When fully recruited the Unit will have 33 permanent staff.
	 (a) Unit operational costs for 2008-09 amount 4,219,305 (made up of admin allocation 959,305 and programme allocation 3,260,000)
	 (b) Unit operational costs for 2009-10 amount to 6,651,646 (made up of admin allocation 951,646 and programme allocation 5,700,000)
	 (c) Unit operational costs for 2010-11 amount to 8,144,371 (made up of admin allocation 944,371 and programme allocation 7,200,000).

Schengen Agreement: Illegal Immigrants

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment her Department has made of the likely effect on levels of illegal immigration into the European Union as a result of Switzerland joining the Schengen area.

Phil Woolas: Switzerland has been evaluated during the course of 2008 and was found to fulfil the conditions for the practical application of the relevant parts of the Schengen Acquis.
	This is a demanding process involving the completion of an extensive questionnaire, written and oral reports and visits by expert committees. The process is designed to ensure that countries joining the Schengen system comply fully with its requirements, including the effective management of external border operations in order to prevent illegal immigration.
	The process is overseen by the EU's Schengen Evaluation Working Group, attended Home Office Officials, which reports to the JHA Council. The reports are classified; therefore they are not made available to the European Parliament or to national parliaments.

Serious and Organised Crime Agency: Manpower

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people employed by the Serious and Organised Crime Agency deal with human trafficking investigations.

Jacqui Smith: SOCA deploys its resources flexibly against a range of threats, rather than allocating staff to specific subjects in line with set priorities.

Serious and Organised Crime Agency: Manpower

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of staff of the Serious and Organised Crime Agency are dedicated to human trafficking investigations.

Jacqui Smith: As indicated in the SOCA Annual Plan 2008-09 the agency intended to apportion 15 per cent. of its operational effort directly to organised immigration crime and additionally 12 per cent. to work on criminals and their business some of which will encompass organised immigration crime.

Sexual Offences: Taxis

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) licensed and  (b) unlicensed taxi drivers have been charged with committing a sexual offence since 2001.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 18 December 2008
	 The information requested is not available.
	Statistics on the number of persons charged with offences are not collected centrally.

Tablighi Jamaat

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will make an assessment of whether Tablighi Jamaat plays a role in the radicalisation of young Muslims in the United Kingdom.

Vernon Coaker: All sources and aspects of radicalisation are studied but by long established convention we do not comment on intelligence assessments.

Tablighi Jamaat

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will make an assessment of whether Tablighi Jamaat poses a security risk to the United Kingdom.

Vernon Coaker: Security risks of all kinds are regularly assessed but by long-established convention we do not comment on intelligence assessments.

Terrorism: Arrests

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many arrests have been made under terrorism legislation in each of the last five years; and how many of such arrests have resulted in  (a) charges and  (b) convictions.

Vernon Coaker: From 11 September 2001 to 31 March 2007 1,228 arrests were made:
	1,165 arrests under the Terrorism Act 2000;
	63 arrests under legislation other than the Terrorism Act, where the investigation was conducted as a terrorist investigation.
	Of the total 1228 arrested:
	132 charged with terrorism legislation offences only;
	109 charged with terrorism legislation offences and other criminal offences;
	195 charged under other legislation including murder, grievous bodily harm, firearms, explosives offences, fraud, false documents;
	76 handed over to immigration authorities;
	15 on police bail awaiting charging decisions;
	1 warrant issued for arrest;
	12 cautioned;
	1 dealt with under youth offending procedures;
	11 dealt with under mental health legislation;
	4 transferred to Police Service of Northern Ireland custody;
	2 remanded in custody awaiting extradition proceedings;
	669 released without charge;
	1 awaiting further investigation.
	Of those charged:
	41 were convicted under Terrorism legislation;
	183 convicted under other legislation: murder and explosives offences (including conspiracies), grievous bodily harm, firearms offences, fraud, false documents offences, etc (this includes the 12 cautions detailed above);
	114 at or awaiting trial.
	The Home Office, Ministry of Justice and Attorney-General's Office are currently working with the National Coordinator for Terrorist Investigations to improve the quality of data relating to those arrested, charged, convicted and imprisoned under terrorist legislation and under other legislation but considered terrorist related. As soon as this is complete a Statistical Bulletin covering this information will be published by the Home Office. The bulletin will provide a breakdown of charges and convictions of terrorism related offences.

Terrorism: Detainees

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 9 December 2008,  Official Report, column 37W, on terrorism: detainees, with what offences the individuals held for over 14 days and then charged were charged; and how many  (a) have been convicted,  (b) offences have been acquitted and  (c) remain subject to trial.

Jacqui Smith: To date 11 individuals have been held over 14 days. Eight of these individuals were charged.
	 14-15 days
	One individual charged with having information about an act of terrorism (section 38B, Terrorism Act 2000). This case was subsequently dismissed by a judge due to insufficient evidence.
	 18-19 days
	One individual charged with conspiracy to cause explosions (section 3 (1a), the Explosives Substances Act 1883).
	 19-20 days
	Three individuals charged with conspiracy to murder (section 1 (1), Criminal Law Act 1977) and Preparation of Terrorist Acts (section 5, Terrorism Act 2006). The latter charge has subsequently been amended by the Crown Prosecution Service for two of the individuals to a charge of conspiracy to commit an act of violence likely to endanger the safety of an aircraft (section 1(1), Criminal Law Act 1977).
	 27-28 days
	One individual charged with preparation of terrorist Acts (section 5, Terrorism Act 2006).
	One individual charged with preparation of terrorist Acts (section 5, Terrorism Act 2006), possession of a prohibited weapon (section 5(1), Firearms Act 1968), possession of ammunition (section 1 (1b), Firearms Act 1968), possession of a silencer without a firearms licence (section 1 (1b), Firearms Act 1968). The charge of preparation of terrorist acts for the second individual was subsequently amended by the Crown Prosecution Service to a charge of conspiracy to commit an act of violence likely to endanger the safety of an aircraft (section 1(1), Criminal Law Act 1977).
	One individual charged with attending a place for instruction or training in terrorism (section 8, Terrorism Act 2006) and collection of information (section 58 (1) (a), Terrorism Act 2000).

Terrorism: Detainees

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people  (a) have been charged with criminal offences,  (b) have been convicted,  (c) have been acquitted and  (d) remain subject to trial as a result of Operation Overt in August 2006.

Jacqui Smith: 17 individuals were charged as a result of Operation Overt.
	In November 2006, two individuals who were charged with failure to disclose information had their cases dismissed by a judge who decided there was no case to answer.
	One individual was convicted in September 2007.
	During the trial which concluded in September 2008, three individuals were found guilty of Conspiracy to Murder Persons Unknown. These three previously pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Cause Explosions and Conspiracy to Commit a Public Nuisance. A further four people pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit a Public Nuisance. A decision is due shortly on a retrial of these seven individuals. One individual was found not guilty at this trial.
	Additionally, a further six people await trial.

Terrorism: Detainees

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 9 December 2008,  Official Report, column 37W, on terrorism: detainees, with what offences the individuals held for between 27 to 28 days and not released without charge were charged.

Jacqui Smith: To date 11 individuals have been held for over 14 days, three were charged on the 27-28 day.
	One individual charged with preparation of terrorist acts (section 5, Terrorism Act 2006).
	One individual charged with preparation of terrorist acts (section 5, Terrorism Act 2006), possession of a prohibited weapon (section 5(1), Firearms Act 1968), possession of ammunition (section 1 (1b), Firearms Act 1968), possession of a silencer without a firearms licence (section 1 (1b), Firearms Act 1968). The charge of preparation of terrorist acts for the second individual was subsequently amended by the Crown Prosecution Service to a charge of conspiracy to commit an act of violence likely to endanger the safety of an aircraft (section 1(1), Criminal Law Act 1977).
	One individual charged with attending a place for instruction or training in terrorism (section 8, Terrorism Act 2006) and collection of information (section 58 (1) (a), Terrorism Act 2000).

Thames Valley Police

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the crime clear-up rates for  (a) violence against the person,  (b) robbery,  (c) burglary in a dwelling,  (d) theft of a motor vehicle and  (e) theft from a vehicle were in the Thames Valley police area in each of the last 10 years, broken down by basic command unit.

Alan Campbell: The available information is given in the following table. Data at Basic Command Unit level (BCU) are only available from 1999-2000 and the BCUs within the Thames Valley police force area were re-structured in 2005-06. In addition, detection rates data are subject to wide variation where small numbers are involved.
	Non-sanction detections that contribute to detection rates have fallen in recent years reflecting a significant shift by many forces away from recording detections of crime where no further action is taken. For this reason overall detection rates over time are not fully comparable.
	From 1 April 2007 the rules governing recording of non-sanction detections were revised to reduce the scope within which they can be claimed to a very limited set of circumstances.
	
		
			  Clear up rates for selected offences recorded in the Basic Command Units in Thames Valley 
			  Percentage cleared up 
			   1999-2000  2000-01  2001-02  2002-03( 1)  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			  Violence against the person  
			 Aylesbury Vale 83 73 72 59 57 52 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Berkshire East n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 53 45 41 
			 Berkshire West   54 45 44 
			 Buckinghamshire n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 59 49 46 
			 Chiltern Vale 68 63 67 58 56 52 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Milton Keynes 73 77 72 68 48 57 64 50 45 
			 Northern Oxfordshire 74 79 79 79 70 64 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Oxford 62 74 73 61 52 54 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Oxfordshire n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 62 55 47 
			 Reading and Wokingham 52 60 61 50 39 43 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Slough and District 70 63 66 58 37 46 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Southern Oxfordshire 60 74 76 67 58 56 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Thames Forest 70 70 66 57 55 51 n/a n/a n/a 
			 West Berkshire 90 90 83 64 61 59 n/a n/a n/a 
			  Robbery  
			 Aylesbury Vale 36 44 22 31 37 23 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Berkshire East n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 17 19 16 
			 Berkshire West n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 29 19 18 
			 Buckinghamshire n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 21 16 16 
			 Chiltern Vale 27 20 31 34 30 31 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Milton Keynes 25 23 26 34 25 33 21 17 23 
			 Northern Oxfordshire 29 48 49 52 26 27 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Oxford 25 30 30 33 28 26 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Oxfordshire n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 28 28 27 
			 Reading and Wokingham 16 22 22 26 25 23 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Slough and District 24 16 19 19 16 13 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Southern Oxfordshire 23 45 32 44 43 39 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Thames Forest 25 22 31 29 27 30 n/a n/a n/a 
			 West Berkshire 26 38 43 37 30 21 n/a n/a n/a 
			  Burglary in a dwelling  
			 Aylesbury Vale 21 17 16 21 12 10 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Berkshire East n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 16 19 9 
			 Berkshire West n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 13 13 13 
			 Buckinghamshire n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 17 13 7 
			 Chiltern Vale 14 8 14 13 16 11 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Milton Keynes 16 19 20 18 12 24 13 20 8 
			 Northern Oxfordshire 22 21 19 21 14 14 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Oxford 19 26 32 28 18 36 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Oxfordshire n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 24 17 18 
			 Reading and Wokingham 14 11 16 16 13 17 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Slough and District 11 22 19 17 12 10 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Southern Oxfordshire 17 16 40 21 22 16 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Thames Forest 12 14 17 19 14 12 n/a n/a n/a 
			 West Berkshire 20 24 18 22 18 23 n/a n/a n/a 
			  Theft of a motor vehicle  
			 Aylesbury Vale 17 22 25 19 14 20 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Berkshire East n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 16 11 12 
			 Berkshire West n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 12 11 16 
			 Buckinghamshire n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 12 16 12 
			 Chiltern Vale 8 14 13 16 16 13 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Milton Keynes 12 25 27 21 14 15 16 12 23 
			 Northern Oxfordshire 18 23 26 30 21 24 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Oxford 10 20 22 48 22 24 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Oxfordshire n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 31 20 20 
			 Reading and Wokingham 8 11 14 13 16 14 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Slough and District 8 8 15 16 11 14 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Southern Oxfordshire 15 17 23 23 13 24 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Thames Forest 16 15 15 23 15 13 n/a n/a n/a 
			 West Berkshire 18 20 16 18 22 20 n/a n/a n/a 
			  Theft from a vehicle  
			 Aylesbury Vale 12 14 4 4 5 27 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Berkshire East n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 8 6 5 
			 Berkshire West n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 4 3 6 
			 Buckinghamshire n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 12 7 6 
			 Chiltern Vale 3 4 4 3 12 5 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Milton Keynes 9 6 17 11 6 10 4 7 8 
			 Northern Oxfordshire 7 10 7 6 11 10 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Oxford 5 16 35 16 17 13 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Oxfordshire n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 11 9 10 
			 Reading and Wokingham 2 3 4 5 4 6 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Slough and District 2 3 4 11 3 9 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Southern Oxfordshire 7 6 8 6 8 6 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Thames Forest 3 7 13 18 18 18 n/a n/a n/a 
			 West Berkshire 5 7 7 4 4 12 n/a n/a n/a 
			 n/a = not available (1) The National Crime Recording Standard was introduced in 2002-03. Figures before and after that date are not directly comparable.

Theft: Motor Vehicles

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent steps the Government has taken to reduce levels of car thefts.

Alan Campbell: There has been a significant and sustained reduction in vehicle crime. Since 1997 all vehicle crime is down by 57 per cent. The police recorded a 5 per cent. decrease in the number of cars stolen between 2006-07 and 2007-08. This decrease is also reflected in the British Crime Survey for 2007-08 which shows a reduction of 11 per cent. for vehicle-related thefts compared with 2006-07.
	Maintaining this reduction is important, but our strategy reflects the success to date and the maturity of practice in this area. The Crime Strategy outlines our approach that Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships, Community Safety Partnerships and other local partners should focus on the issues of greatest priority in each locality through local area agreements. As part of the local area agreement process 98 of the 150 local areas have chosen serious acquisitive crime, of which vehicle crime is an important component, as one of their key priorities for improvement. Central Government are also held to account through Public Service Agreement 23 which measures the progress in tackling serious acquisitive crime.

Theft: Retail Trade

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent steps the Government have taken to reduce levels of retail theft.

Alan Campbell: In 2007, the Home Office set up the National Retail Crime Steering Group, to provide a forum for retailers to raise issues of concern with Government and devise strategies for tackling retail crime. Current issues the group is addressing include ensuring Penalty Notices for Disorder are issued appropriately and consistently, developing and disseminating good practice guidance for local retailers and crime reduction partnerships to work more effectively together, and designing a new Commercial Victimisation Survey. The introduction of neighbourhood policing teams will also ensure that retailers concerns are reflected in local policing priorities. This will be backed up by guidance from the National Police Improvement Agency, and the reforms set out in the Policing Green Paper 'From the neighbourhood to the national: policing our communities together' to give local people, including businesses, a greater say in how their neighbourhoods are policed.

UK Border Agency: Olympic Games 2012

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost implications for the UK Border Agency are of the London Olympics in 2012.

Jacqui Smith: Work is continuing to finalise the strategy and plans for the security of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Any decisions will need to take account of operational needs, affordability within the total funding envelope and the need to secure value for money.

UK Border Agency: Prisoners

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners in England and Wales were released into the custody of the UK Border Agency and its predecessors in each of the last 12 months.

Phil Woolas: holding answer 16 December 2008
	The Chief Executive of the UK Border Agency has regularly written to the Home Affairs Select Committee with all of the most robust and accurate information on the deportation of foreign criminals, including updates on the numbers of such individuals who are subject to deportation action and are detained following completion of their custodial sentence in order to facilitate their eventual deportation. In her letter of 23 July she advised the Committee that there were around 1,650 such individuals who were detained beyond their sentence under immigration powers. Copies of all of these letters are available in the Library of the House.

UK Border Agency: Working Hours

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many UK Border Agency (UKBA) enforcement operations have taken place on Saturdays or Sundays in each month of 2008, broken down by each UKBA region.

Phil Woolas: The UK Border Agency adopts an intelligence-led approach to operations. The number of UK Border Agency enforcement operations that have taken place on Saturdays or Sundays in each month to end September 2008, broken down by each region of the UK Border Agency is detailed in the following table.
	The data provided are management information. They may be subject to change and do not represent published national statistics.
	
		
			   Saturday/Sunday operations by month, 2008 
			  Command  January  February  March  April  May  June  July  August  September  Total 
			 London and South East (L and SE) 193 161 212 28 34 56 76 45 26 831 
			 Midlands and Eastern (M and E) 40 33 39 7 8 14 10 15 9 175 
			 North East (NE) 33 23 22 7 16 22 8 13 5 149 
			 North West (NW) 32 14 24 8 11 12 6 10 8 125 
			 Scotland and Northern Ireland (S and NI) 10 11 14 12 11 11 8 14 5 96 
			 South West and Wales (SW and W) 0 2 2 5 4 0 6 0 0 19 
			 Total 308 244 313 67 84 115 114 97 53 1,395 
			  Note: All data are sourced from the National Operations Database (NOD) or Crime Management Information (CMI) system. The NOD/CMI is a management information tool and data from it are not quality assured under National Statistics protocols. Figures provided from the NOD/CMI do not constitute part of National Statistics and should be treated as provisional.

Vetting

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average waiting time to process Criminal Records Bureau checks in each police force area was in the latest period for which information is available.

Meg Hillier: Data concerning the average time taken to complete a disclosure by police force area are not a performance target and are not collated by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB).
	The CRB operates to a set of published service standards (PSS) which include to issue 90 per cent. of Standard Disclosures within 10 days and 90 per cent. of enhanced disclosures within 28-days.
	Average figures do not give an accurate indication of performance, since any forces' performance can be affected by a number of factors; the volume of cases sent to a force to process in any given month, the number of staff available to process the checks and the IT resources on hand to forces. With these variables, performance can fluctuate within individual forces from one month to the next.
	However, you may be interested to note that comparative police force performance data can be found on the CRB website at:
	www.crb.gov.uk.

Work Permits: Foreign Workers

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been granted work permits in the last 12 months, broken down by  (a) country of origin and  (b) duration of work permit.

Phil Woolas: The following table shows the number of work permits granted broken down by the country of origin and the duration of the work permit:
	
		
			  Applications granted for period 1 December 2007 to 30 November 2008, broken down by nationality and duration of work permit 
			   Months  
			  Nationality  0-12  12-24  24-36  36-48  48-60  Over 60  Total 
			 Afghanistan (1) (1) (1) (1) 15 0 35 
			 Albania 25 5 5 5 30 0 70 
			 Algeria 40 25 15 5 40 0 120 
			 Angola 30 10 (1) (1) (1) 0 45 
			 Antigua and Barbuda (1) 0 0 0 (1) 0 5 
			 Argentina 1,355 115 30 10 90 0 1,600 
			 Armenia 15 5 (1) (1) 5 0 25 
			 Australia 2,040 1,040 620 345 2,190 5 6,245 
			 Azerbaijan 25 10 5 5 30 0 70 
			 Bahamas, The (1) (1) 0 0 5 0 5 
			 Bahrain 10 (1) 0 (1) 10 0 20 
			 Bangladesh 175 110 65 45 330 (1) 725 
			 Barbados 45 5 (1) 5 15 (1) 70 
			 Belarus 65 30 5 5 80 (1) 185 
			 Belize (1) 0 0 0 5 0 5 
			 Benin (1) 0 0 0 (1) 0 5 
			 Bolivia 20 5 (1) 0 10 0 35 
			 Bosnia - Herzegovina 15 15 5 0 10 0 45 
			 Botswana 20 10 5 10 45 0 90 
			 Brazil 745 185 105 30 260 (1) 1,320 
			 British National Overseas 35 55 30 10 155 (1) 285 
			 British Overseas Citz. (1) 0 0 (1) 5 0 5 
			 Brunei 5 (1) 0 5 (1) 0 10 
			 Bulgaria 1,510 45 20 5 165 5 1,750 
			 Burkina 5 (1) 0 0 0 0 5 
			 Burundi 5 0 (1) 0 (1) 0 5 
			 Cambodia 5 0 0 0 (1) 0 5 
			 Cameroon 40 20 10 15 70 0 160 
			 Canada 2,560 460 275 130 880 5 4,310 
			 Cape Verde 5 0 0 0 0 0 5 
			 Chad 0 0 0 0 (1) 0 (1) 
			 Chile 90 25 10 5 20 0 150 
			 China 1,655 1,260 525 355 3,750 5 8,090 
			 Colombia 205 55 20 10 135 (1) 430 
			 Comoros 0 0 (1) 0 0 0 (1) 
			 Congo 25 10 (1) 0 5 0 45 
			 Costa Rica 5 5 (1) 0 10 0 20 
			 Croatia 85 20 15 5 90 (1) 210 
			 Cuba 245 5 (1) 5 5 0 260 
			 Czech Republic 0 0 0 0 (1) 0 (1) 
			 Djibouti (1) (1) 0 0 0 0 (1) 
			 Dominica 15 (1) (1) (1) 5 0 25 
			 Dominican Republic 5 (1) (1) (1) 5 0 15 
			 Ecuador 15 5 0 (1) 15 0 35 
			 Egypt 300 80 40 20 155 (1) 595 
			 El Salvador 5 (1) (1) 0 5 0 10 
			 Eritrea 0 (1) 0 0 0 0 (1) 
			 Estonia (1) (1) 0 0 0 0 (1) 
			 Ethiopia 35 5 5 (1) 10 0 55 
			 Fiji 10 5 5 0 (1) 0 20 
			 Gabon 15 (1) (1) 0 0 0 15 
			 Gambia, The 10 5 (1) (1) 15 0 40 
			 Georgia 25 10 (1) (1) 15 0 50 
			 Ghana 210 105 40 70 525 (1) 955 
			 Grenada 15 0 (1) (1) 5 0 20 
			 Guatemala 5 5 (1) 0 5 0 10 
			 Guinea 50 0 0 0 5 0 55 
			 Guinea-Bissau (1) 0 0 0 0 0 (1) 
			 Guyana 15 5 5 15 65 (1) 105 
			 Haiti (1) (1) 0 0 0 0 5 
			 Honduras 5 0 5 5 (1) 0 15 
			 Hungary 0 0 0 0 (1) 0 (1) 
			 India 16,285 19,250 2,600 930 10,875 10 49,950 
			 Indonesia 80 30 15 5 70 (1) 200 
			 Iran 155 75 35 15 250 0 530 
			 Iraq 35 25 5 (1) 35 0 100 
			 Israel 320 80 45 25 140 0 610 
			 Ivory Coast 35 0 (1) (1) 10 0 50 
			 Jamaica 745 90 45 95 195 (1) 1,170 
			 Japan 1,065 555 430 215 1,365 5 3,640 
			 Jordan 35 25 10 5 65 0 135 
			 Kazakhstan 60 45 20 5 50 0 180 
			 Kenya 145 85 55 35 350 (1) 665 
			 Kosovo 5 5 0 0 (1) 0 5 
			 Kuwait 25 5 5 0 5 0 40 
			 Kyrgyzstan (1) 5 (1) (1) 15 0 20 
			 Latvia 5 0 0 0 (1) 0 5 
			 Lebanon 90 60 20 20 140 0 330 
			 Lesotho 5 (1) 5 5 25 0 45 
			 Liberia 0 (1) 0 (1) (1) 0 5 
			 Libya 30 5 (1) 5 20 0 65 
			 Lithuania (1) 0 0 0 0 0 (1) 
			 Macedonia 10 10 (1) (1) 15 0 40 
			 Madagascar (1) 0 (1) 0 (1) 0 5 
			 Malawi 35 5 5 10 65 0 120 
			 Malaysia 415 315 160 80 1,135 (1) 2,110 
			 Maldives 5 (1) 0 0 (1) 0 5 
			 Mali 70 (1) (1) 0 (1) 0 75 
			 Mauritania 5 0 0 (1) 5 0 10 
			 Mauritius 50 45 40 60 355 (1) 555 
			 Mexico 260 60 45 20 160 0 545 
			 Moldova 340 10 5 (1) 10 0 370 
			 Monaco 0 (1) 0 0 0 0 (1) 
			 Mongolia 20 25 (1) 0 (1) 0 50 
			 Montenegro (1) (1) 0 0 (1) 0 35 
			 Morocco 155 25 15 5 65 0 265 
			 Mozambique 15 (1) (1) 0 (1) 0 20 
			 Burma 45 25 10 5 75 0 160 
			 Namibia 10 5 (1) 5 25 0 40 
			 Nepal 50 170 95 40 520 (1) 885 
			 New Zealand 605 230 175 130 670 5 1,810 
			 Nicaragua 5 (1) (1) 0 (1) 0 10 
			 Niger 5 0 0 0 0 0 5 
			 Nigeria 355 160 110 90 1,150 (1) 1,870 
			 Korea (North) (1) (1) 0 0 0 0 (1) 
			 Oman 15 (1) (1) 5 (1) 0 20 
			 Pakistan 565 560 285 215 1,645 (1) 3,270 
			 Occupied Palestinian Territories 10 10 5 0 20 0 45 
			 Panama 5 0 0 (1) 5 0 10 
			 Papua New Guinea 5 (1) 0 0 (1) 0 5 
			 Paraguay 5 0 0 0 5 0 10 
			 Peru 25 10 5 (1) 20 0 60 
			 Philippines 735 685 430 335 3,615 (1) 5,810 
			 Qatar 5 (1) 5 0 (1) 0 10 
			 Romania 440 75 60 20 315 5 910 
			 Russia 1,545 310 110 50 505 5 2,525 
			 Rwanda 15 (1) 0 0 (1) 0 20 
			 Samoa 5 5 10 5 0 0 20 
			 Sao Tome and Principe (1) 0 0 0 0 0 (1) 
			 Saudi Arabia 55 20 5 (1) 20 0 100 
			 Senegal 175 5 (1) (1) 10 0 195 
			 Serbia 65 30 5 10 60 0 195 
			 Seychelles 0 0 (1) 5 5 0 10 
			 Sierra Leone 5 (1) (1) 5 20 0 35 
			 Singapore 160 90 55 30 265 0 600 
			 Slovakia (1) 0 0 0 0 0 (1) 
			 Somalia (1) (1) 0 0 0 0 (1) 
			 South Africa 1,375 645 320 310 2,220 5 4,870 
			 Korea (South) 245 180 70 60 390 (1) 950 
			 Sri Lanka 330 145 65 40 605 (1) 1,185 
			 St. Kitts and Nevis 10 0 0 0 5 0 15 
			 St. Lucia 20 (1) (1) (1) 20 0 45 
			 St. Vincent 5 5 (1) (1) 10 0 25 
			 Sudan 40 25 5 5 25 0 100 
			 Surinam (1) (1) 0 0 (1) 0 5 
			 Swaziland (1) (1) 5 (1) 20 0 30 
			 Switzerland 5 0 0 0 0 0 5 
			 Syria 30 15 15 5 50 0 115 
			 Tajikistan 5 0 0 (1) 5 0 10 
			 Tanzania 50 15 10 5 40 0 125 
			 Thailand 170 210 45 25 650 0 1,100 
			 Togo 5 5 0 (1) 5 0 15 
			 Tonga 5 (1) 5 (1) 0 0 10 
			 Trinidad and Tobago 95 50 15 25 145 0 325 
			 Tunisia 30 20 5 (1) 40 0 95 
			 Turkey 315 145 75 30 325 0 895 
			 Turkmenistan 0 (1) 0 0 5 0 5 
			 Uganda 100 25 10 15 80 0 230 
			 Ukraine 315 180 45 25 220 0 780 
			 United Arab Emirates 10 (1) (1) 0 5 (1) 15 
			 United States 20,985 2,610 1,135 465 3,635 10 28,835 
			 Uruguay 20 10 5 0 5 0 40 
			 Uzbekistan 15 5 5 (1) 30 0 55 
			 Vanuatu 0 0 0 0 (1) 0 (1) 
			 Venezuela 75 20 10 10 85 0 205 
			 Vietnam 65 30 20 5 90 (1) 210 
			 Yemen 5 (1) 0 0 (1) 0 10 
			 Zambia 25 10 15 15 190 0 255 
			 Zimbabwe 250 105 90 235 1,300 0 1,970 
			 Total 61,870 31,475 8,815 4,900 43,880 85 151,635 
			 (1) Indicates figure of one or two.  Notes: 1. Totals may not add up due to rounding. 2. Figures are rounded to nearest 5. 
		
	
	The figures quoted are not provided under National Statistics protocols and have been derived from local management information and are therefore provisional and subject to change.
	The figures cover the period 1 December 2007 to 30 November 2008 and include all granted work permit applications. This excludes members of group applications, dependants and all other categories of permit.
	The figures are for work permits issued, some applicants will still need to gain entry clearance and some may decide not to take up their posts.

TREASURY

Afghanistan

Adam Holloway: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which organisation has managed each project funded by his Department in Helmand province since 2005; what the budget of each was; how much has been spent in each case; what monitoring, impact assessments and evaluations have been undertaken; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: HM Treasury has not directly funded any projects in Afghanistan. The Treasury allocates funding to other Departments including the Ministry of Defence and the Department for International Development.

Air Passenger Duty

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  if he will review the proposed boundaries for new rates of air passenger duty to provide that Larnaca airport, Cyprus, falls in the same band as Paphos airport; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the effect of charging different rates of air passenger duty for travel to Cyprus via Paphos and Larnaca on  (a) the prevalence of air travel to those airports and  (b) the Cyprus economy and tourist industry; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: All destinations in Cyprus fall within the same air passenger duty distance band (band A).

Bank Services

John Battle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent estimate he has made of the number of people over the age of 18 years who do not have a bank account; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The Government are committed to reducing financial exclusion and increasing the number of people who can manage their money by using a bank account.
	The Family Resources Survey data for 2006-07, published in June this year, show that the number of adults living without access to a bank account fell from 2.8 million in 2002-03 to 2.1 million in 2006-07.

Bank Services: Small Businesses

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the effect of the Government's policy on bank recapitalisation on the availability of credit to the small and medium-sized enterprise sector in Peterborough; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 16 December 2008
	I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave the hon. Member for West Ham (Lyn Brown) on 30 October 2008,  Official Report, column 1189W.

Bank Services: Small Businesses

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent steps the Government have taken to aid banks in providing capital to businesses.

Ian Pearson: On 8 October 2008 the Government announced a comprehensive package of measures to support stability of the financial system, protect ordinary savers, depositors, businesses and borrowers, and to safeguard the interests of the taxpayer.
	As part of their investment, the Government have agreed a range of commitments with banks accessing the recapitalisation scheme. The Government expect banks to restore and maintain the availability and active marketing of competitively priced lending to SMEs, at a level at least equivalent to that of 2007, until the end of 2011.
	UK Financial Investments Limited (UKFI), which is wholly owned by the Government, will also oversee the conditions attached to subscribing to the Government's recapitalisation fund, including in relation to SME lending.
	British small businesses should also be able to benefit from around 4 billion of lending from the European Investment Bank (EIB) between 2008 and 2011. As announced in the pre-Budget report in November 2008, after negotiations between UK banks and the EIB, 1 billion of EIB funds were approved by the end of last year to be available to British small firms. The Government continue to work with UK banks and the EIB on the use of EIB loans to deliver the most effective support to small firms with sound business propositions. It is a condition for banks participating in the Government's recapitalisation scheme to seek EIB Loans for SMEs.
	Furthermore the Government announced a package of support to help smaller businesses at the Pre-budget report 2008. This package included the establishment of the Small Business Finance Scheme, an Export Credits Guarantee Department scheme, and the equity or quasi-equity capital fund. When combined this package will facilitate over 2 billion of extra support to SMEs experiencing short-term financial difficulties.

Banks

Grant Shapps: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what dates he held meetings with  (a) HBOS,  (b) Nationwide,  (c) Abbey,  (d) Lloyds TSB,  (e) Northern Rock,  (f) Barclays,  (g) RBS and  (h) HSBC on the Government's repossessions policy before its announcement on 3 December 2008.

Ian Pearson: Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.

Banks: Finance

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Government have taken to monitor the effects of recapitalisation of major British banks.

Ian Pearson: The Government's investment are managed on a commercial basis by UK Financial Investments Ltd (UKFI), a company which is wholly owned by the Government. Its overarching objectives will be to protect and create value for the taxpayer as a shareholder, with due regard to financial stability and acting in a way that promotes competition.

Banks: Iceland

Jo Swinson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps have been taken to ensure that loans to Iceland from the European Union and International Monetary Fund are used to compensate UK depositors in Icelandic banks; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 16 December 2008
	I refer the hon. Lady to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Carmarthen, East and Dinefwr (Adam Price) on 26 November 2008,  Official Report, column 1880W.

Banks: Iran

William Hague: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what reports he has received on the determination by the US Administration on 17 December 2008 that Assa Corporation is created and controlled by Bank Melli; and whether he has made representations to the relevant Channel Islands authorities on the operations in Jersey of Assa Company Ltd and its subsidiaries.

Ian Pearson: HM Government are currently liaising with the US Administration on their determination that Assa Corporation is created and controlled by Bank Melli and with the relevant Jersey authorities on this issue.
	The Jersey Financial Services Commission is coordinating the Jersey investigation and focusing on the part played by any Jersey Company which may have conducted business with Assa Corporation, Assa Company Ltd or Bank Melli.

Banks: Regulation

Peter Bone: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on requirements on banks whose shares are in public ownership to support small businesses.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 11 December 2008
	Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings and discussions with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings and discussions.

Banks: Regulation

Dai Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will require those banks in receipt of public money to increase liquidity to include representatives of the banking trades unions on their remuneration committees.

Ian Pearson: UK Financial Investments Limited (UKFI), which is wholly owned by the Government, will oversee the conditions attached to subscribing to the Government's recapitalisation fund, including in relation to remuneration policies of banks board directors.

Banks: Regulation

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent steps the Government has taken to reform regulation of the financial markets.

Ian Pearson: I refer the hon. Member to the statement on financial markets made by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 6 October 2008,  Official Report, columns 22-23, which announced that Adair Turner, the Chairman of the FSA, had been asked to make recommendations for reforms.

Banks: Taxation

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate his Department has made of the amount of tax avoided by British banks through offshore tax regimes in the last 12 months.

Stephen Timms: No estimates have been made in the past 12 months of the tax gap attributable to offshore tax regimes. In March 2008, HMRC released details of some analysis from 2005 that attempted to derive estimates of the direct tax gap at the start of the decadesee
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/research/direct-tax-gaps.pdf.
	This included a very broad-brush estimate of the tax gap associated with the use of offshore accounts.

Child Benefit

Lyn Brown: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what percentage of claims for child benefit made by  (a) EU nationals excluding A2 and A8 nationals,  (b) A2 and A8 nationals and  (c) those with indefinite leave to remain took longer than 36 days to be processed since April 2008;
	(2)  what the average processing time was for claims for child benefit by  (a) EU nationals excluding A2 and A8 nationals,  (b) A2 and A8 nationals and  (c) those with indefinite leave to remain in each month since April 2008;
	(3)  what his Department's target times are for processing child benefit claims; and what percentage of cases involving  (a) the transfer of a claim from one carer to another  (b) non-UK EU citizens, A2 and A8 nationals and  (c) those with indefinite leave to remain were processed within those target times in the latest period for which information are available;
	(4)  what the average processing time was for claims for child benefit by entitled  (a) non-UK EU and  (b) other foreign nationals in each month since April 2008;
	(5)  what percentage of child benefit claims were processed within  (a) five days and  (b) 36 days in each month since April 2008;
	(6)  what the average time taken to process child benefit claims where the claim was being transferred from one carer to another was in each month since April 2008; and what percentage of claims of that type took longer than 36 days to process since April 2008.

Stephen Timms: For 2008-09, HM Revenue and Customs aim to pay 69 per cent. of child benefit claims in nine working days and aim to pay all new child benefit claims in an average of 20 calendar days. This is the first year that this target has been in place. Performance outturn for 2008-09 will be published in due course.
	More complex claims, including those from customers arriving from abroad, often require HMRC to make more detailed inquiries, and so HMRC are normally unable to process and pay them within the usual target times. The HMRC Helpline can provide advice about expected waiting times to customers chasing progress of their claims
	Information on the number of claims processed in 36 days, since April 2008, is not available and I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew) on 22 October 2008,  Official Report, column 356W.
	The other information requested relating to non-UK citizens would be available only at disproportionate cost.

Child Tax Credit

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many awards of child tax credit were made for  (a) 2001-02 and  (b) 2002-03; and what estimate he has made of the number of eligible claimants in each of those years.

Ian Pearson: Child and working tax credits were not introduced until April 2003.

Council Tax: Valuation

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what  (a) training and  (b) guidance manuals the Valuation Office Agency has produced to assist in the use of the council tax banding support tool.

Stephen Timms: The Valuation Office Agency, in conjunction with the system software provider, has produced two manuals to be used for training and guidance covering the main functions of the council tax banding support tool.

Currency

Graham Stuart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the performance of sterling; what comparative assessment he has made of the performance of the euro; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The Government continue to monitor the value of sterling against other currencies, but does not comment on short-term exchange rate movements since this may have undesirable effects on their stability. The Government's objective is for a stable and competitive exchange rate in the medium term.

Data Protection

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many confirmed data security breaches there have been in his Department in the last three years; and what steps were taken in response to each such occurrence.

Angela Eagle: No data security breaches have been recorded by the Treasury in the last three years.

Departmental Correspondence

Grant Shapps: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many  (a) letters and  (b) e-mails received by his Department had not been responded to as at 15 December 2008.

Angela Eagle: The information is as follows:
	 (a) The Cabinet Office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on the performance of Departments in replying to Members/peers correspondence. Information relating to 2008 will be published as soon as it has been collated.
	 (b) In respect of e-mails, this could be answered only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Correspondence

Alex Salmond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to respond to the letters dated 10 July 2008 and 13 August 2008 from the Member of the Scottish Parliament for Banff and Buchan on fuel costs and farming industry; and what the reasons are for the time taken to reply.

Angela Eagle: It is understood that this relates to correspondence from Stewart Stevenson MSP. Receipt of the correspondence could not be traced and a copy, dated 9 June, was obtained. A reply was sent on 6 January.

Departmental Data Protection

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of contractors and suppliers to  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies has reported compliance with the Government's security standards following publication of the report, Data Handling Procedures in Government, and the accompanying document, Cross-departmental Actions: Mandatory Minimum Action, on 25 June 2008.

Angela Eagle: The information requested is as follows:
	 (a) All suppliers to The Treasury that are required to handle relevant data have been contacted and made aware of the Government's security standards. All have been assessed as having policies and procedures that are compliant with those standards.
	 (b) The UK DMO have identified all the suppliers involved in data handling procedures. All of these suppliers (100 per cent.) have been assessed as appropriate to comply with the Government's security standards.

Departmental Data Protection

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many contracts  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies have which allow contractors to store personal data of UK citizens overseas; for which contracts this applies; in which countries the data for each contract is held; and how many people have their data stored overseas in the case of each such contract.

Angela Eagle: The Treasury has one supplier that stores personal data abroad. The contractor provides travel agency services under a pan-Government framework owned by OGCbuying.solutions and the data are stored in the USA under a safe harbour agreement.
	The Debt Management Office holds one contract that it manages on behalf of the Treasury, which allows the storage of personal data of UK citizens overseas. This contract is for the Gilt Registration Service and states that personal data must be kept within the European Economic Area (EEA). Currently all these data are stored within the UK.

Departmental Data Protection

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when his Department appointed a senior information risk owner in accordance with the report, Data Handling Procedures in Government and the accompanying document Cross-departmental Actions: Mandatory Minimum Action; and what grade the person holds within the Department.

Angela Eagle: HM Treasury's senior information risk owner is a range G (equivalent to Grade 3) and has held the responsibility since December 2007.

Departmental Energy

Gordon Banks: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps his Department is taking to reduce the amount of energy it wastes.

Angela Eagle: The Treasury is committed to improving energy efficiency of the Department's estate and reducing energy use year on year. Measures taken over the last year that have led to improvements in energy efficiency include adjustment of lighting system controls, switching to daytime cleaning, reducing the need for lighting after hours, and adjusting the temperature when heating is turned on.
	Detailed information on the Treasury energy consumption by building can be found in HM Treasury annual report 2007-08.

Departmental Equality

Philip Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information his Department holds on the  (a) sex,  (b) ethnicity,  (c) age,  (d) disability,  (e) sexual orientation and  (f) religion or belief of its staff; and what assessment he has made of his Department's performance against its targets relating to diversity in its workforce.

Angela Eagle: The Treasury holds the following information on the  (a) sex,  (b) ethnicity,  (c) age,  (d) disability of its employees:
	staff in post
	applicants for employment, training and promotion
	results of performance assessment procedures
	grievance procedures disciplinary procedures
	staff who cease employment
	In September 2007 the Treasury began collecting diversity-monitoring data on sexual orientation and the religion or belief of employees.
	The Treasury reports, to the Cabinet Office, on the Department's performance against its targets relating to diversity in its work force 2005-08 and has set new diversity targets for 2009-11.

Departmental Furniture

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was spent by his Department on furniture made by  (a) British firms,  (b) Remploy and  (c) overseas firms in each year since 2000.

Angela Eagle: For information on the country of origin of furniture products purchased by the Department, I refer to the answer given to the hon. Member on 18 December 2006,  Official Report, column 1552W by the former Financial Secretary (Mr. Healey). A search of the Department's accounting records failed to reveal any payments having been made to Remploy since 2002-03. Information on payments prior to that date could be provided only at disproportionate costs due to the introduction of a new accounting system.

Departmental Marketing

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many complaints about advertisements sponsored or funded by his Department were made to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) in each year from 1997 to 2008; and how many of these were upheld by the ASA in each year.

Angela Eagle: There have been no complaints made about advertisements sponsored or funded by the Treasury in each year from 1997 to 2008.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisors

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what expert advisers have been commissioned by his Department and its agencies since 1997; on what topic each was commissioned; and whether the advisers so appointed made a declaration of political activity in each case.

Angela Eagle: Details of expert advisers appointed by the Treasury may be found where appropriate on its website. Advisers commissioned by Treasury are expected to comply with the Nolan Principles. Where appropriate, advisers have made a declaration of political activity. The Debt Management Office has appointed no expert advisers.

Departmental Telephone Services

Michael Penning: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many telephone numbers for which callers are charged at the rate applicable to 0845 numbers are used by  (a) his Department and  (b) its Executive agencies for public access to services.

Angela Eagle: HM Treasury does not use 0845 numbers.
	The UK Debt Management Office has 17 0845 telephone numbers that appear on its website and are therefore generally available for use by callers. Their purpose is business continuity-related.

Departmental Work Experience

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many individuals have worked in his Department on  (a) paid and  (b) unpaid work experience or internships in each of the last three years; on average how many hours a week were worked by such people in each year; what types of work each was involved in; what proportion were in full-time education; what proportion did not complete their set period of work experience; and how much those who received remuneration were paid on average per week in each year.

Angela Eagle: The number of paid work experience and internship placements offered in each of the last three years is as follows:
	
		
			   Number of placements  Average weekly remuneration () 
			 2006-07 37 313 
			 2007-08 27 322 
			 2008-09 34 335 
		
	
	Placement students work on average 36 hours per week and are all involved in work related to economics. It is not possible to state how many were in full-time education or how many did not complete their period of work experience.
	Information on unpaid work experience is not recorded centrally and cannot therefore be provided.

Derbyshire Offshore

John Butterfill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps have been taken by the Financial Services Authority to safeguard depositors in the Derbyshire Building Society's Isle of Man subsidiary.

Ian Pearson: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) on 26 November 2008,  Official Report, column 1902W.

Economic Situation: EC Countries

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he is taking to establish close working practices with EU partners in order to facilitate co-operative efforts to overcome the economic downturn.

Ian Pearson: The Chancellor of the Exchequer and Treasury Ministers attend regular meetings of EU Ministers, including the Council of Economic and Finance Ministers (ECOFIN). These discussions cover a wide range of issues including discussion of co-ordination among EU member states.

Equitable Life

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons he has not responded to the Ombudsman's report on Equitable Life; and when he expects to do so.

Ian Pearson: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 11 December 2008,  Official Report, column 261W.

EU Budget

Bob Spink: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total gross amount paid to the EU budget was by each EU member state in the last year for which figures are available.

Ian Pearson: Details of each member state's gross contributions, after taking account of the UK abatement, can be found Tables 2A (euro) and 2B (sterling) (pages 48 and 50) of the 2008 European Community Finances White Paper (Cm 7462) published on 10 September 2008.

EU Budget

Bob Spink: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to reduce the level of the UK's net contribution to the EU budget until the level of UK debt is reduced to below the average of EU countries; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The Government are committed to radical reform of the EU budget, including the common agricultural policy as set out in Global Europe: vision for a 21(st) century budget published on 19 June 2008.

EU Grants and Loans

Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the  (a) monetary value and  (b) quantity of loans funded from the European Investment Bank made to UK companies in (i) November 2008 and (ii) December 2008; and what estimate he has made of the value and quantity of such loans in (A) January 2009 and (B) February 2009.

Ian Pearson: The European Investment Bank (EIB) publishes data and status information on individual loans on its public website (www.eib.org). The status of a loan can fall into one of three stages: (1) under appraisal; (2) approved by the Board of Directors of the EIB; and (3) signed by borrower and the EIB.
	Based on information that is available in the public domain:
	in November 2008, the EIB signed five finance contracts with UK companies, totalling 689,570,509; and
	in December 2008, the EIB signed six finance contracts with UK companies, totalling 1,292,257,485.
	Looking forward, based again on information that is currently publicly available:
	there are 11 EIB loan applications by UK companies, totalling 1,929 million, approved by the EIB's Board of Directors and now awaiting final signature; and
	there are a further eight EIB loan applications by UK companies, totalling approximately 1,810 million, currently under appraisal.
	The exact timing of the approval and signature stages is subject to the conclusion of confidential negotiations between the EIB and borrower.

Excise Duties: Alcoholic Drinks

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the effect on the price of  (a) a pint of beer,  (b) a bottle of wine and  (c) a bottle of spirits of the measures announced in the pre-Budget report 2008 in each year to 2011-12;
	(2)  what economic  (a) assumptions and  (b) formula his Department uses to calculate the effects of alcohol duty on the price of a (i) pint of beer, (ii) bottle of wine and (iii) bottle of spirits.

Angela Eagle: The effect of the PBR 2008 measures on the price of a pint of beer, a 75cl bottle of wine and a 70cl bottle of spirits is estimated to be:
	
		
			  Pence 
			   Beer  Wine  Spirits 
			 2008-09 -1 + 1 -12 
			 2009-10(1) -1 +2 -11 
			 2009-10(2) +3 + 14 +28 
			 2010-11 +4 +15 +29 
			 2011-12 +4 + 15 +31 
			 (1) April to December. (2) January to March. 
		
	
	These estimates are based on HM Treasury's projections of retail price inflation and the producer prices index as well as average prices and strengths calculated using market data. They include VAT and duty measures.
	The calculation of the expected effect of changes in duty rate on consumer demand for excise goods assumes that any change in duty is passed on in full to consumers. See paragraph A.2.3 of the Financial Statement and Budget Report (FSBR) 2008. Website address:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/bud08 completereport.pdf.
	The following formulae are used to measure the effect of alcohol duty on typical items of alcohol:
	(i) Pint of beerDuty/100*0.568*4.2 (assumes that a pint is 0.568 litres and the average strength of a pint of beer is 4.2 per cent.).
	(ii) 75cl Bottle of wineDuty/100*0.75
	(iii) 70cl Bottle of SpiritsDuty*0.7*0.3877 (assumes the average strength of a bottle of spirits is 38.77 per cent.).
	Average strengths have been calculated using market data.

Financial Services Authority

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will bring forward proposals to increase the accountability to Parliament of the Financial Services Authority.

Ian Pearson: The FSA is accountable to Parliament, the Treasury, the public and industry in a number of ways including the requirement for the FSA to publish an annual report on the discharge of its functions and the extent to which its regulatory objectives have been met.

Government Departments: Energy

Gordon Banks: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Government is taking to reduce energy waste on the part of Government Departments.

Angela Eagle: The Government's Delivery Plan for Sustainable Procurement and Operations on the Government Estate, published in August 2008, provides a full account of the initiatives that Departments are taking to reduce their energy waste. Government have committed to updating the Delivery Plan on a six monthly basis, and the first of these updates will be published on 18 December 2008.

Housing: Valuation

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the Answer to the hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst of 5 November 2008,  Official Report, column 542W, on housing: valuation, if he will publish the multiple regression methodology which the automated valuation model uses to apply a value significance to the 10,000 localities.

Stephen Timms: Multiple regression is a statistical technique. Its use by the Valuation Office Agency within automated valuation modelling is subject to commercial confidentiality.

Inheritance Tax

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment his Department has made of the effect of falling house prices on the ability of families to meet inheritance tax liabilities when they inherit a home from a deceased parent or relative.

Stephen Timms: As with the whole tax system, the Government keep the effect of falling house prices on the ability of families to meet inheritance tax liabilities under review.
	The Government therefore have two measures in place to address this eventuality of falling house prices affecting the ability to meet inheritance tax liabilities:
	While a house remains unsold, the inheritance tax due on it can be paid in instalments for up to 10 years.
	Where a house is sold within four years of the death for less than the value on which inheritance tax was paid, the personal representatives can in most cases make a claim for inheritance tax 'loss on sale' relief. The loss on sale relief does not apply if the sale is to a beneficiary or relative of a beneficiary. This is because of the risk of avoidance.

Inheritance Tax

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Valuation Office Agency has targets for inheritance tax yields.

Stephen Timms: The Valuation Office Agency does not have a target to increase inheritance tax yields.

Kaupthing Singer and Friedlander

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether  (a) his Department and  (b) any of its agencies has had (i) correspondence and (ii) discussions with (A) Kaupthing Singer and Friedlander Ltd. and (B) another bank or intermediary relating to the withdrawal by customers of deposits in the 10 days before 8 October 2008.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 18 December 2008
	 Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings and discussions with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings and discussions.

Landsbanki: Guernsey

Mark Oaten: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he or his officials will meet representatives of depositors in Landsbanki Guernsey to discuss the means of recovering their savings.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 15 December 2008
	The Treasury has offered a meeting at officials' level to the Landsbanki Guernsey Depositors Action Group.

Landsbanki: Guernsey

Mark Oaten: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the Landsbanki Resolution Committee on the collapse of Landsbanki Guernsey.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 16 December 2008
	In line with usual constitutional arrangements, the UK Government will represent the Crown Dependencies in their negotiations with the Icelandic authorities.
	Engagement with the Landsbanki Resolution Committee on issues relating to the failure of Landsbanki Guernsey is a matter for the administrator of Landsbanki Guernsey and the Government of Guernsey.

Landsbanki: Guernsey

Mark Oaten: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions his Department has had with the Icelandic government on the collapse of Landsbanki Guernsey.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 16 December 2008
	In line with usual constitutional arrangements, the UK Government will represent the Crown Dependencies in their negotiations with the Icelandic authorities.

Landsbanki: Guernsey

Mark Oaten: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he has taken in response to the collapse of Landsbanki Guernsey; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 18 December 2008
	I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Thurrock (Andrew Mackinlay) on 6 November,  Official Report, column 683W.

Loans

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans his Department has to introduce a national loan guarantee scheme.

Ian Pearson: I refer the hon. Member to the statement by the Prime Minister on 10 December 2008,  Official Report, column 527-28.
	The Government have announced a package of measures to ensure the stability of the financial system; protect ordinary savers, depositors, businesses and borrowers; and protect the interests of taxpayers. More information is available on the Treasury website at:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/press_105_08.htm.
	The Government will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure the stability of the financial system.

Local Government Finance

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the answer of 11 November 2008,  Official Report, column 1084W, on borrowing: local authorities, how many local authorities have had their initial applications rejected for not meeting the lending terms in the last three years.

Angela Eagle: No local authorities have had their loan applications rejected by the Public Works Loan Board for not meeting its lending terms in the last three years.

Local Government Finance

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the answer of 11 November 2008,  Official Report, column 1084W, on borrowing: local authorities, if he will publish the lending terms that local authorities must meet for applications to borrow to be approved.

Angela Eagle: The Public Works Loan Board's lending arrangements are displayed on its website,
	www.pwlb.gov.uk.

Members: Correspondence

John Baron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when his Department will reply to the hon. Member for Billericay's letter of 21 October 2008 about his constituent, Mr. S Ford.

Ian Pearson: A reply has been sent to the hon. Member.

Members: Correspondence

John Butterfill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will reply to the letters from the hon. Member for Bournemouth, West of 13 October, 3 November and 11 December 2008 in respect of his constituent Mr Ian Wilson and deposits with Icelandic banks.

Ian Pearson: The Treasury regrets the delay in replying to the hon. Member and hopes to be in a position to do so shortly.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to reply to the letter to him dated 28 October 2008 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Ms J. Ferneyhough.

Ian Pearson: A reply has been sent to my right hon. Friend.

Minimum Wage: North West

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many fines have been issued to employers in the North West for paying employees at rates below the national minimum wage.

Stephen Timms: The national minimum wage (NMW) regime of enforcement activity does not include the use of fines for non-payment of national minimum wage. In January 2007, the DTI published the NMW penalty notice policy. In line with this, since February 2007, Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs has been issuing penalty notices, for those employers who fail to comply with an enforcement notice within 28 days. The Employment Act 2008 will introduce changes, from 6 April 2009, to the NMW enforcement regime, which will see the issue, by HMRC, of financial penalties in most cases of minimum wage non-compliance.

Non-domestic Rates

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes have been made to the tax treatment of lump sum payments made by businesses surrendering onerous leases in the last 12 months.

Stephen Timms: There have been no recent changes to the tax treatment of lump sum payments made by businesses surrendering onerous leases. Such payments are not an allowable expense in computing trading profits, unless the trade consists of the buying and selling of leases.

Offenders

Edward Garnier: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many former prisoners are employed by his Department; and what his Department's policy is on employing former prisoners.

Angela Eagle: The Department does not keep records of the numbers of ex-offenders employed.
	All candidates are subject to fair Recruitment and Selection procedures, underpinned by our Equal Opportunities policy and the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974). Candidates are assessed according to suitability for the post. During normal security vetting procedures, the Head of Security will consider the nature of spent and unspent convictions and, so long as no security risk is identified, ex-offenders are not precluded from employment within HM Treasury.

OGCbuying.solutions: Small Businesses

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Chancellor will review the threshold turnover level for the Office of Government Commerce's facilities catalogue to ensure that small and medium-sized enterprises whose turnover falls below 1 million are not discriminated against in favour of large companies.

Angela Eagle: OGC guidance recommends that supplier turnover should not be the only consideration when assessing a potential new supplier. There have been no examples in the past two years of any companies being excluded from consideration solely on the basis of turnover when compared with contract value. There are therefore currently no turnover thresholds applied during the procurement process.

Pay As You Earn

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has made of the number of people registered on the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system who had additional undeclared sources of income in each of the last 12 months; how much uncollected tax revenue this figure represented  (a) in total and  (b) as a proportion of the estimated total tax owed by these people through PAYE in each of those months; and what estimate HMRC has made of the value of uncollected income tax as a proportion of the total income tax that was collected through PAYE in each of the last 12 months.

Stephen Timms: No such estimates have been made.

Personal Records: Databases

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff of each grade in his Department have access to electronic databases containing personal information relating to members of the public resident in Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland constituency.

Angela Eagle: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Private Finance Initiative

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many Private Finance Initiative schemes were concluded in each of the last 10 years; what their capital value was; what the repayment amount is; and over how many years this is to be repaid;
	(2)  how many Private Finance Initiative schemes are in the process of being completed; and what their  (a) capital value and  (b) repayment amount is;
	(3)  what proportion of Private Finance Initiative schemes are taken into account when calculating the national debt.

Angela Eagle: The full list of all signed PFI projects can be found on HM Treasury's website at:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/documents/public_private_partnerships/ppp_pfi_stats.cfm
	For each PFI project, this list details the project name, the capital value, the constituency, the procuring authority and whether it is on or off balance sheet; as used by the ONS in calculating public sector net debt.

Public Expenditure

Chris Ruane: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money was allocated to reviving  (a) coalfield communities,  (b) steel communities,  (c) rural communities,  (d) inner-city areas and  (e) seaside towns in each of the last 10 years.

John Healey: I have been asked to reply.
	I have placed in the Library of the House the totals of resource allocations from key programmes for 1997-98 to 2007-08 where such information is available, together with the local authorities that fall within existing definitions of the categories requested. I have also asked the Homes and Communities Agency to write to my hon. Friend separately, setting out the equivalent sums from that Agency's programmes and those of its predecessor bodies over the relevant period. I will ensure a copy of this letter is placed in the Library of the House.
	However, not all regeneration and renewal programmes record spend by local authorities such as Regional Development Agency programmes. Some other programmes funds are allocated to consortia of local authorities, and we do not gather information on how those funds are shared between the individual local authorities involved. In addition, Government do not classify English local authorities using all of the categories requested, so information therefore cannot be provided in relation to those categories. Information relating to Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland should be sought from the respective Devolved Administrations.

Public Expenditure

Roger Williams: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with Ministers at the  (a) Department for Transport,  (b) Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and  (c) Department for Communities and Local Government on bringing forward publicly-funded capital works commissioned by these Departments.

Angela Eagle: Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.

Public Expenditure

David Mundell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to lay before Parliament the factual paper on the Barnett formula.

Yvette Cooper: No date has yet been set for the publication of the factual paper on the Barnett formula.

Public Finance

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to table B4 of the Pre-Budget Report, on the fiscal balances compared with Budget 2008, what the figures for the cyclically-adjusted  (a) surplus on the current budget and  (b) net borrowing are as a percentage of potential gross domestic product for each year.

Yvette Cooper: I refer the hon. Member to the answer provided on to him on 15 December 2008,  Official Report column 435-36W.
	Cyclically adjusted fiscal aggregates are published as a percentage of forecast GDP not potential GDP.

Public Sector: Procurement

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy that the Office of Government Commerce ensure that the public sector procurers recognise any pre-qualification scheme that conforms to the core criteria in the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations; and whether he intends to bring forward proposals for a specific scheme.

Angela Eagle: It is already policy that Government clients involved in the procurement of built environments should ensure that their pre-qualification and tendering processes are appropriate for the project, meet legal obligations and avoid unnecessary bureaucracy and costs for suppliers. This requirement is made mandatory in the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) 'Common Minimum Standards for the procurement of built environments'.
	The OGC recommends that government construction clients make use of 'Constructionline', a Government-owned pre-qualification tool that aligns with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations, when carrying out their pre-qualification procedures. However, clients may use an alternative mechanism if that is considered appropriate. It is not planned to restrict registration to a specific scheme.
	The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations legislate the approach required to health and safety on construction sites. The Health and Safety Executive is responsible for any enforcement of those regulations.

Redundancy: Dartford

Howard Stoate: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to support employees in Dartford facing redundancy in the near future.

Stephen Timms: HM Treasury is working closely with the Department for Work and Pensions to take steps to ensure that individuals facing redundancy are helped to move swiftly into a new job. The recent pre-Budget report announced measures which build on the support Jobcentre Plus already has in place. The package included the expansion of Jobcentre Plus rapid response service to target both small and large-scale redundancies, the extension of Train to Gain to provide new training to people before they are made redundant, and the launch of a National Employment Partnership.
	The PBR also announced that Jobcentre Plus Regional Ministers will work with regional development agencies to develop plans for co-ordinated responses to large-scale redundancies, as soon as they are notified. Meeting the economic challenges in every region, published alongside the 2008 pre-Budget report, outlined the Government's response to support regions and localities, and sets out how regional partners are working together to focus on meeting the pressing challenges of their regions. More information on the actions that the South East of England Development Agency is taking to meet current economic challenges in the South East can be found at:
	www.seeda.co.uk

Revenue and Customs

Hugo Swire: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how inspectors of HM Revenue and Customs are  (a) incentivised,  (b) appraised for promotion and  (c) remunerated.

Stephen Timms: HMRC inspectors, in common with all HMRC staff below the senior civil service, are subject to a single pay and appraisal system which includes recognition bonuses for exceptional performance, top performance bonuses for those attaining the top marking as part of their annual appraisal, consolidated pay awards, and promotion on merit.

Revenue and Customs

John Battle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what HM Revenue and Customs' policy is on answering enquiries from hon. Members; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: HMRC aim to reply to 80 per cent. of all correspondence within 15 working days, and 95 per cent. within 40 days. There is no separate target relating specifically to enquiries from Members of Parliament. Hon. Members can use the dedicated hotlines that HMRC have in place for specific issues, such as the 'MP hotline' for telephone queries about constituents' tax credits claims.

Revenue and Customs: Closures

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimates he has made of the potential for savings arising from the proposed closure of HM Revenue in each of the next five years.

Stephen Timms: Potential estates savings for the next five years for offices in Scotland which HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) plans to vacate are estimated as follows:
	
		
			million 
			 2009-10 3.9 
			 2010-11 7.5 
			 2011-12 9.0 
			 2012-13 9.5 
			 2013-14 9.7 
		
	
	These savings are only part of the overall savings HMRC expects to achieve from the closure of these offices. The main reason for closure is that HMRC will achieve overall business efficiencies by consolidating staff in a smaller number of offices and introducing new and more efficient working practices.

Revenue and Customs: Closures

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been spent on refitting, repairs and general maintenance of those HM Revenue and Customs offices now earmarked for vacation or closure in each of the last five years, broken down by location.

Stephen Timms: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Revenue and Customs: Correspondence

John Battle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the average length of time taken by Leeds HM Revenue and Customs office to reply to correspondence from hon. Members in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: HMRC does not keep data in this form.

Revenue and Customs: Southend

Bob Spink: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to retain the HM Revenue and Customs office in Southend.

Stephen Timms: HMRC's latest staffing projections, published in December on the HMRC website at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/local/change-programme.htm
	indicate that about 1,500 HMRC staff will be needed in Southend by 2011. There are therefore no plans to revisit the decision announced in July 2007 to retain the HMRC office at Alexander house, Southend, which will be able to accommodate that number of staff.

Revenue and Customs: Southend on Sea

Bob Spink: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were employed at HM Revenue and Customs offices in Southend in each of the last five years.

Stephen Timms: The staff in post in Southend on Sea at 1 April for HMRC (and, for 2004 and 2005, the total of staff in HM Customs and Excise and the Inland Revenue) is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  As at 1 April:  Headcount  Full time equivalent 
			 2004 2,491 n/a 
			 2005 2,463 2271.4 
			 2006 2,161 1999.83 
			 2007 2,051 1887.9 
			 2008 1,947 1781.76 
		
	
	These figures do not include staff in the offices at Basildon, Rayleigh or Shoeburyness.

Royal Bank of Scotland

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to end the offshore operations of Royal Bank of Scotland.

Stephen Timms: This is a matter for the directors of the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS).
	The Government's investments in banks accessing the recapitalisation scheme will be managed on a commercial basis by an arm's length company, UK Financial Investments Limited (UKFI). The overarching objectives for UKFI will be to protect and create value for the taxpayer as shareholder with due regard to the maintenance of financial stability and to act in a way that promotes competition. More details can be found in the letter dated 3 November from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, which is available in the House of Common's Library.

Sight Impaired

Tom Levitt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidelines his Department follows in respect of making printed materials and forms accessible to people suffering red/green colour blindness.

Angela Eagle: The Treasury aims to follow the RNIB's See it Right guidelines in respect of making printed materials and forms accessible to people suffering red/green colour blindness.

Stamp Duty Land Tax

Greg Knight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  if he will increase the stamp duty holiday threshold to above 175,000;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the stamp duty holiday in stimulating the market for properties priced below 175,000.

Ian Pearson: I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given by the then Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Kitty Ussher) on 15 September 2008,  Official Report , column 2155W. The aim of the stamp duty holiday announced on 2 September 2008 is to demonstrate Government support for homebuyers at a time of difficult conditions. Data on property transactions can be found at
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/survey_of_prop/index.htm.

Tax Allowances: Redundancy

Howard Stoate: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will raise the tax-free threshold of 30,000 for redundancy payments.

Stephen Timms: The Government keeps the 30,000 tax exemption for redundancy payments under review along with all other aspects of the tax system.

Tax Allowances: Rented Housing

Tim Loughton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he plans to raise the tax-free threshold under the rent-a-room scheme.

Stephen Timms: There are no plans to raise the tax-free threshold under the rent-a-room scheme.

Tax Avoidance

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of levels of tax evasion among white-collar workers; and what steps his Department has taken  (a) to recover revenue from taxes which have been evaded and  (b) to reduce levels of evasion.

Stephen Timms: There are no figures available for the levels of tax evasion by white-collar workers.
	The Government are committed to ensuring that the tax system operates fairly and efficiently and clamping down on those who try to cheat the system through evading taxes continues to be a priority. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) risk assess tax returns against their own and third party information and will open an inquiry into those cases where they believe there is a risk of tax evasion.
	HMRC continues to improve its approach to tackling evasion. It has made improvements to the identification of evasion through investment in a risk capability and a single referral and escalation mechanism across the taxes. This is underpinned by the recent change in HMRC powers which extends real-time inspection of records to direct taxes as well as a new penalty regime to help deter evasion.

Tax Credit

Paul Goodman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people have been awarded consolatory payments in respect of tax credits by HM Revenue and Customs in each of the last five years; what the average size of consolatory payments for tax credit errors was in each of the last five years; what the amount paid for consolatory payments in respect of tax credits was in each of the last five years; on what basis consolatory payments were awarded in that period; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: The circumstances in which HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will make compensation payments to its customers are explained in the Department's fact sheet C/FS 'Complaints and Putting Things Right' which is available at:
	www.hmrc.gov.uk/factsheets/complaints-factsheet.pdf.
	The Department will pay compensation for reasonable costs incurred as a direct result of any mistakes or delays and to recognise worry and distress caused.
	For the number and value of compensation payments made by Tax Credit Office up to the end of 2007-08, I refer the hon. Member to the answer my predecessor gave the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 5 June 2008,  Official Report, columns 1086-87W. Data for 2008-09 will be collated in due course.

Tax Credit

Paul Goodman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cases relating to tax credits the Adjudicator's Office has handled under the process assurance procedure in each year for which figures are available; how many of these cases were subsequently referred to the Parliamentary Ombudsman; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: The Adjudicator's Office began working cases under the process assurance procedure during 2006-07. The Adjudicator's Office closed 313 PA cases in 2006-07 and 982 in 2007-08. The Adjudicator's Office ceased using this procedure for working tax credit cases in January 2008.

Tax Credit

Paul Goodman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in how many cases related to tax credits and resolved since March 2008 the Adjudicator's Office has recommended that  (a) an overpayment be written off and  (b) a consolatory payment be made.

Stephen Timms: From 1 April 2008, 575 tax credit cases have been settled with some or all of the overpayment being written off. There have been consolatory payments in 666 of all tax credit cases seen by the Adjudicator's Office in the same period. The circumstances in which HM Revenue and Customs make compensation payment to its customers are explained in the Department's fact sheet C/FS Complaints and Putting Things Right which is available at
	www.hmrc.gov.uk/factsheets/complaints-factsheet.pdf.
	The Department will pay compensation for reasonable costs incurred as a direct result of any mistakes or delays and to recognise worry and distress caused.

Tax Credit

Paul Goodman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much in relation to tax credits cases the Adjudicator's Office has recommended that HM Revenue and Customs  (a) pay in compensation to claimants,  (b) forego in tax and interest and  (c) write off in overpaid tax credits since March 2008.

Stephen Timms: From 1 April 2008 the Adjudicator's Office recommended that HMRC pay 108,980 in compensation relating to tax credit claims, and recommended 1,532,272 of overpayment to be written off. Interest is not generally chargeable on tax credits cases. The Adjudicator's Office has not made recommendations with regard to foregoing tax or interest in relation to a tax credit case.

Tax Credit

Paul Goodman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cases related to tax credits have been taken on by the Adjudicator's Office since March 2008; and how many of these have been settled.

Stephen Timms: From 1 April 2008 the Adjudicator's Office has taken on 1,106 tax credit cases and closed 984 tax credit cases. 220 of the tax credits cases closed were taken on this year.

Tax Credit

Paul Goodman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff the Adjudicator's Office employed in each of the last five years; and how many of those worked on tax credit disputes.

Stephen Timms: There are currently 54 people working in the Adjudicator's Office. At the end of each year there were; 46 people for 2007-08, 45 for 2006-07, 43 for 2005-06, 43 for 2004-05 and 47 for 2003-04. All staff spend some time working on tax credits complaints as well as on other complaints.

Tax Credit

Paul Goodman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tax credit cases taken on by the Adjudicator's Office related to complaints where overpayments had been made due to awards based on incorrect information in each of the last five years; and in how many of those cases the complaint was upheld.

Stephen Timms: This information is not available.

Taxation: Aviation

Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information his Department holds for benchmarking purposes on other countries which have an aviation duty based on  (a) distance-banding and  (b) distance-banding where distance is calculated for capital cities.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 16 December 2008
	 France and the Netherlands have aviation passenger taxes which are similar to the UK's air passenger duty. The Republic of Ireland will introduce a similar tax in March 2009. All of these duties make a distinction based on the final destination of the passenger.
	The French have a civil aviation passenger tax and a solidarity passenger tax both of which charge on whether the passenger is flying within Europe or elsewhere. The Netherlands uses a system based on distance to destination from airport of departure and the Irish plan to use distance from Dublin airport.

Taxation: Carers

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the Answer of 26 November 2007,  Official Report, column 128W, on care vouchers, if he will place in the Library a copy of  (a) the modelling his Department has undertaken of the scheme and  (b) the work carried out on its cost effectiveness.

Ian Pearson: The Government set out their assessment of the care voucher scheme in the answer to which the hon. Member refers.

Taxation: Disclosure of Information

Francis Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will initiate a leak inquiry into the circumstances whereby details of the new taxation measures in the Pre-Budget Report being published in the national press prior to his statement to the House.

Angela Eagle: It has been the policy of successive Administrations not to comment on the initiation of, content of, or outcome of internal leak inquiries.

Taxation: Helicopters

Tom Brake: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what aviation taxes are imposed on the use of private helicopters;
	(2)  how much revenue has been raised by aviation taxes on the use of private helicopters in each year since 1997.

Angela Eagle: Some helicopter flights, such as those carrying more than 19 chargeable passengers, are liable to air passenger duty.
	For all aircraft, including helicopters, duty is payable on aviation gasoline and on aviation turbine fuel used for private pleasure flying.
	Figures for the proportion of revenue for these taxes raised from helicopters are not available. There are no other taxes specific to aviation.

Valuation Office

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what working groups there are in the Valuation Office Agency's Local Taxation and Data and Information Technology divisions.

Stephen Timms: A large range of activity is undertaken in the Agency's Local Taxation and Data and Information Technology Directorates. No single central record is kept of the various means by which the work is organised. Generally speaking, oversight is delivered through regular management meetings or project boards, rather than through working groups.

Valuation Office: Digital Mapping

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the answer of 30 October 2008,  Official Report, column 1259W, on council tax: valuation, what the monetary value was of payments made to Tenet Technology by the third party representatives of the Valuation Office Agency for goods, licences and services from Tenet which the Valuation Office Agency uses.

Stephen Timms: The total payments made by the VOA's third party representatives to Tenet Technology is the subject of a contract to which the VOA is not a party.

VAT

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of changes in consumer spending behaviour attributable to the reduction in the rate of value added tax.

Stephen Timms: An assessment of the impact of the VAT rate cut on projected consumer spending behaviour can be found in paragraphs 2.40 to 2.45 in the 2008 Pre-Budget Report. No assessment has been made yet since the reduction took effect.

VAT

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the extent to which the reduction in the rate of value added tax has met his objectives for the policy.

Stephen Timms: We have reduced the standard rate of value added tax to 15 per cent. from 1 December 2008 to 31 December 2009 as part of a wider fiscal stimulus. It would be premature to attempt to make an assessment now of the effect of this 13-month reduction in stabilising the economy, but we have met our objective of helping the UK's two million VAT registered businesses to make the change from 1 December, and many have been passing on the reduction to consumers through lower prices from that date.

VAT

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he plans to take to encourage businesses to reduce immediately prices in line with the new rate of value added tax.

Stephen Timms: The Government have called on businesses to pass on the VAT rate reduction through lower prices to help stimulate consumer spending and ensure both businesses and consumers can benefit from the change. Many businesses have done so, and in the UK's highly competitive retail sector, consumers can choose whether or not to buy from businesses that do not pass the reduction on. But decisions on prices are for businesses rather than Government.

VAT

Sarah Teather: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how much revenue was raised from value added tax on sales of domestic microgeneration technology of each type in each of the last three financial years;
	(2)  how much revenue was raised from value added tax on domestic insulation products in each of the last three financial years.

Stephen Timms: HM Revenue and Customs does not collect data on VAT raised from individual goods and services.

VAT: Retail Trade

Paul Burstow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations his Department has received about retailers miscalculating the reduction in the rate of value added tax.

Stephen Timms: We have received representations on a number of issues associated with the reduction in the rate of value added tax to 15 per cent. There is no indication of significant or widespread problems relating to retailers incorrectly applying the change, but Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs is committed to providing guidance and support to any businesses or consumers who are experiencing problems.

VAT: Retail Trade

Paul Burstow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps HM Revenue and Customs is taking to ensure that the reduction in the rate of value added tax is passed on to customers.

Stephen Timms: Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs has provided detailed guidance and support to help every VAT registered business apply the new rate of VAT correctly from 1 December 2008. The Government have called on businesses to pass on the VAT rate reduction to consumers through lower prices, and many have responded, but decisions on prices are for businesses rather than Government.

VAT: Small Businesses

Mark Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effects on the cash flows of small businesses of the reductions in the flat rate of value added tax simultaneously with the reduction in the standard rate to 15 per cent.

Stephen Timms: The purpose of the flat rate scheme is to simplify VAT accounting and no direct assessment of the cash flow effect of changes to the flat rates was made.
	Alongside the standard VAT rate reduction, the flat rates were recalculated to ensure they reflect both the rate change and the net VAT paid by small businesses that do not use the flat rate scheme. This avoids distortion of competition between flat rate users and small businesses that opt not to use the scheme.

Welfare Tax Credits

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the  (a) cost and  (b) staff time of piloting face-to-face visits for tax credit customers in November and December 2008.

Stephen Timms: HMRC have started rolling out new services from December 2008 to make claiming tax credits easier and quicker. The services offered will depend upon the customer's needs and piloting face-to-face visits for tax credit customers will take place in 2009. The costs and benefits of the pilot will inform a decision on a full roll out of this service.

Welfare Tax Credits

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tax credit claims were ended as a result of relationship breakdown in each month of 2006-07; and what the size of the credit claimed was in each case.

Stephen Timms: The information requested is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Each year around 150,000 tax credit customers experience a household break-up.

Welfare Tax Credits

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost of the increase in the tax credits income disregard from 2,500 to 25,000 in each financial year between 2008-09 and 2014-15; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Rayleigh (Mr. Francois), on 7 November 2006,  Official Report column 1043-44W.

Welfare Tax Credits

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the effect on public expenditure of removing the second taper rate of 6.67 per cent. and increasing the first taper rate to  (a) 46 per cent.,  (b) 45 per cent.,  (c) 44 per cent. and  (d) 43 per cent. in each of the next five years; if he will estimate the number of people who would no longer be eligible for tax credits in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: The estimated saving, in 2009-10 to 2013-14, of increasing the first taper rate of tax credits to each of the rates requested, combined with increasing the second taper rate to 100 per cent. is provided in the following table. No account has been taken of possible behavioural effects.
	
		
			  Effect on expenditure 
			   million 
			  1st taper  2009-10  2010-11  2011-12  2012-13  2013-14 
			 46 per cent. -1,550 -1,600 -1,640 -1,750 -1,840 
			 45 per cent. -1,370 -1,410 -1,450 -1,540 -1,630 
			 44 per cent. -1,180 -1,210 -1,240 -1,330 -1,400 
			 43 per cent. -980 -1,010 -1,030 -1,100 -1,160 
		
	
	These changes would not affect the number of claimants eligible for tax credits. However, they would increase the number of claimants with awards reduced to zero.

Welfare Tax Credits

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many new claims for tax credits have been made in each of the last 24 months.

Stephen Timms: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend the Exchequer Secretary (Angela Eagle) gave her on 10 December 2008,  Official Report column 198W.

Welfare Tax Credits

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to publish the Government's response to its consultation on the tax credit system.

Stephen Timms: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend the Exchequer Secretary (Angela Eagle) gave her on 10 December 2008,  Official Report: column 198W.

Welfare Tax Credits: Bexley

David Evennett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many claimants in the London Borough of Bexley were overpaid tax credits in the last three years for which figures are available.

Stephen Timms: Estimates of the number of families with tax credit awards, including information on overpayments by local authority, based on final family circumstances and incomes, for the years 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07 are available in the HMRC publications 'Child and Working Tax Credits Statistics. Finalised Annual Awards. Supplement on Payments. Geographical Analyses', for each relevant year. These publications are available on the HMRC website at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-geog-stats.htm.

Welfare Tax Credits: Complaints

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many complaints about tax credits the Tax Credit Office has received in each of the last 24 months, broken down by type of communication.

Stephen Timms: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary (Ian Pearson) gave her on 10 December 2008,  Official Report, column 198W.

Welfare Tax Credits: Telephone Services

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the tax credit helpline call centres have caller identification technology in place.

Stephen Timms: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17 December 2008,  Official Report column 825W.

Working Tax Credit

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of the results of the research undertaken by HM Revenue and Customs on the reasons why some people without children do not claim working tax credit.

Stephen Timms: In 2007, HMRC commissioned a piece of qualitative research looking at the triggers and barriers to the take-up of Working Tax Credit among those without dependent children, in accordance with the Department's policy on publication, the research findings will be published on the HMRC website at
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/research/
	early in 2009.

Working Tax Credit

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how much and what proportion of working tax credit underpayments owing to  (a) official error and  (b) customer error was subsequently paid in each year since the scheme's introduction; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how much and what proportion of working tax credit overpayments owing to  (a) official error and  (b) customer error was recovered in each year since the scheme's introduction; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  how much was  (a) overpaid and  (b) underpaid in working tax credits owing to (i) official error and (ii) customer error in each year since the scheme's introduction; what the average discrepancy per case is; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  how many and what proportion of working tax credit claims were  (a) overpaid and  (b) underpaid owing to (i) official error and (ii) customer error in each year since the scheme's introduction; and if he will make a statement;
	(5)  how much and what proportion of child tax credit underpayments owing to  (a) official error and  (b) customer error was subsequently paid out in each year since their introduction; and if he will make a statement;
	(6)  how much and what proportion of tax credit overpayments owing to  (a) official error and  (b) customer error was recovered in each year since their introduction; and if he will make a statement;
	(7)  how much and what proportion of tax credit underpayments owing to  (a) official error and  (b) customer error was subsequently paid out in each year since their introduction; and if he will make a statement;
	(8)  how much and what proportion of child tax credit claims were  (a) overpaid and  (b) underpaid owing to (i) official error and (ii) customer error in each year since their introduction; and if he will make a statement;
	(9)  how much was  (a) overpaid and  (b) underpaid in child tax credits owing to (i) official error and (ii) customer error in each year since their introduction; what the average discrepency per case is; and if he will make a statement;
	(10)  how much and what proportion of child tax credit overpayments owing to (a) official error and  (b) customer error was recovered in each year since their introduction; and if he will make a statement;
	(11)  how much has been  (a) overpaid and  (b) underpaid in tax credits owing to (i) official error and (ii) customer error in each year since their introduction; what the average discrepancy per case is; and if he will make a statement;
	(12)  how many and what proportion of tax credit claims were  (a) overpaid and  (b) underpaid owing to (i) official error and (ii) customer error in each year since the scheme's introduction; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: The information is not available in the format requested.
	Accuracy in processing and calculating awards increased from just under 79 per cent. in 2003-04 to around 97 per cent. in 2007-08. In addition, in 2007-08 fewer than 5 per cent. of overpayments where the customer disputed whether they should make a repayment contained any element of official error.
	Information about the level of under and overpayments of tax credits is published on the HM Revenue and Customs website at
	www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/menu.htm

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Afghanistan and Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department takes to monitor the behaviour of individuals employed by private security companies operating in  (a) Iraq and  (b) Afghanistan.

Bill Rammell: The Government do not monitor the behaviour of individuals operating on behalf of Private Military Security Companies (PMSCs), except when they are part of a contract that the Government have with a specific PMSC. HMG closely monitors contracts of PMSCs operating in Iraq and Afghanistan that are contracted by the UK Government. All HMG's PMSC contracts are subject to ongoing performance monitoring and contract management by the FCO and other Government Departments concerned, both in country on-the-ground and from the UK, in respect of all aspects of the delivery and operation of these contracts. HMG requires the highest standard of personal behaviour from staff employed by PMSCs contracted by HMG.
	FCO monitors performance by a mixture of key performance indicators, regular visits by the Overseas Security Advisors to FCO posts who review and report on the PMSCs' performance, regular review meetings in London with PMSCs, and monitoring expenditure against a fully profiled budget. In addition, the FCO reviews requirements on completion of the contract and prior to re-tendering in order to highlight any improvements that could be made as a result of experience or lessons learned.

Arms Trade: Exports

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the compliance of relevant UK  (a) legislation and  (b) regulations with the requirements of the EU Common Position on defining common rules governing the control of exports of military technology and equipment; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: The UK has for some time been pressing for the adoption of the EU Code of Conduct as a Common Position; we welcome its adoption in December 2008, which changes the code's status from politically to legally binding on all member states. Export licence applications are currently subject to assessment by the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria, adopted in 2000 and announced in this House on 26 October 2000. This brought together in one place principles underpinning both UK legislation and the EU Code of Conduct, to ensure a consistent approach to export licensing. This became part of statutory guidance. As export licence applications are made under the Export Control Act 2002, this remains the same with the Common Position. We will not therefore require any significant change to UK legislation to implement the Common Position, and will be in a position to implement it without delay.

Bangladesh: Elections

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made towards free and fair elections in Bangladesh; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: The Chief Election Commissioner of Bangladesh has announced that the national election will take place on 29 December. The parties have now submitted their nominations for the election. International observer missions are now in Bangladesh.
	The caretaker Government have announced that the state of emergency will be lifted on 17 December. The people of Bangladesh are looking forward to choosing a new Government.

Bosnia: Politics and Government

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the Solana-Rehn joint report to EU Foreign Ministers on the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: I welcome the Solana-Rehn joint report entitled 'EU's policy in Bosnia and Herzegovina: the way ahead'. The report is principally concerned with the future of the EU Special Representative's office in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and is a good start to an important discussion. The UK remains deeply concerned about the political situation in BiH, and will engage closely with EU partners on the issues raised in the report. We believe the EU needs to increase further its engagement in BiH.

Bosnia: Politics and Government

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the Solana-Rehn joint report to EU foreign ministers on the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

David Miliband: We are not able to place a copy of the Solana-Rehn joint report to EU Foreign Ministers on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Library. The document is jointly owned by the Javier Solana (EU High Representative) and Olli Rehn (EU Commissioner for Enlargement) and is not in the public domain. However a summary of the report, which is in the public domain, will be placed in the Library.

Bosnia: Politics and Government

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the level of co-operation and consultation between the EU and NATO in Bosnia-Herzegovina; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: Both the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and the EU remain deeply concerned about the current situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. At a joint NATO-EU discussion of Bosnia and Herzegovina on 27 October 2008, EU High Representative Javier Solana and the NATO Secretary General Jaap De Hoop Scheffer underlined that the slowdown in reform progress and ongoing ethnic nationalist rhetoric was extremely worrying.
	Both organisations continue to co-operate closely in their efforts to ensure Bosnia and Herzegovina makes progress on the reform priorities necessary for further EU-Atlantic integration. The EU Peacekeeping Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUFOR) continues to operate under Berlin Plus arrangements, ensuring ongoing co-ordination of NATO and EU activities. The NATO Secretary General has highlighted the excellent working relationship between NATO and EU Commanders on the ground.

British Council: Finance

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what funding his Department has made available for the British Council's Reconnect Initiative for each year until 2010-11.

Caroline Flint: In the 2007 comprehensive spending review, the Treasury allocated an additional 6 million to the British Council for its Reconnect Initiative:
	
		
			million 
			 2008-09 1 
			 2009-10 2 
			 2010-11 3 
		
	
	These funds are in addition to the British Council's baseline funding.

British Council: Pakistan

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when it was decided to close the Library of the British Council in Lahore, Pakistan; what assessment was made of the contribution it made to understanding of the UK and the West in Pakistan; and if he will bring forward plans to reopen the Library.

Caroline Flint: As a result of the events of 11 September 2001, and due to the deteriorating security situation, all public-access British Council premises in Pakistan were closed in 2002.
	The library in Lahore was an essential part of the British Council Pakistan's offer to young people helping them to establish a relationship with the UK at a time when the internet was non-existent. The British Council has continued to engage with local customers by increasing the availability of on-line and phone services while at the same time reducing the vulnerability of its staff and customers.
	The security environment in Pakistan, coupled with the British Council's emphasis on partnerships and online working mean they have no plans to reopen any libraries in Pakistan.

British Indian Ocean Territory: Angling

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was received through the sale of fishing licences in the British Indian Ocean Territory in the last five years.

Gillian Merron: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend, the then Minister of State, Geoff Hoon, gave on 22 May 2006,  Official Report, column 1415W for the income received in the years 2003-06 from fisheries in the British Indian Ocean Territory.
	Since then, income from fisheries has been as follows:
	
		
			
			 2006-07 824,948 
			 2007-08 1,078,649 
			 2008-09 (to date) 730,206

Burma: Politics and Government

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment the Government have made of the political situation in Myanmar.

Bill Rammell: The military regime in Burma is determined to maintain its hold on power regardless of the cost and suffering of its people. The junta's 'Roadmap to disciplined democracy', including a new constitution and elections planned for 2010, is designed to entrench military rule behind a facade of civilian government. The process excludes the opposition and meaningful participation by the ethnic groups. Fundamental rights are consistently ignored.
	Since early November, over 200 pro-democracy activists have been given sentences of up to 65 years in prison. These severe sentences are clearly designed to silence all dissent ahead of the 2010 elections. There are now over 2,200 political prisoners in detention, including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and other pro-democracy leaders. Ethnic minority groups have been methodically marginalised. Against this backdrop, we will continue to do all we can to generate international pressure for a peaceful transition to democracy and respect for human rights in Burma. In particular, we will continue to give our full support to the UN Secretary General and his efforts to break the current deadlock.

Chagos Islands

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his American counterpart on the future of the Diego Garcia airbase in the Chagos Islands in light of the expiry of the agreement for US-UK joint use of Diego Garcia for defence operations in 2016.

Gillian Merron: The UK and US consult closely and regularly on their mutual defence needs, including in the annual bilateral official talks on the British Indian Ocean Territory last held in London 18-19 September 2008. To date neither the UK nor the US has raised the possibility of terminating the agreement.
	The use of the British Indian Ocean Territory is regulated by a series of bilateral agreements (Exchange of Notes) between the UK and the US. The 1966 Exchange of Notes provides that the islands of the British Indian Ocean Territory, including Diego Garcia, shall be available for defence purposes of both countries for an initial period of 50 years i.e., until 2016 and continuing thereafter for a further period of 20 years unless terminated by either Government not more than two years before the end of the initial period.

Chevening Scholarships

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Chevening scholarships have been awarded to Tibetans in each year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: Three Chevening scholarships have been awarded to ethnic Tibetans applying in China since 2001-02; one each in 2004-05, 2006-07 and 2007-08. This does not include any figures for Han Chinese or other Chinese ethnic minorities who may have been born in the Tibetan autonomous region.

Citizenship

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to include provisions in the Immigration and Citizenship Bill to give British nationals who are not British citizens entitlement to full British citizenship.

Phil Woolas: I have been asked to reply.
	There is provision with nationality law for the registration of those with another form of British nationality to be registered as full British citizens. If a person lives in the United Kingdom for a period of five years, and meets certain residence requirements, he or she can apply for registration.
	The Nationality Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 also introduced a registration provision under which British overseas citizens, British subjects and British protected persons can be registered as British citizens if they do not possess another nationality. Similar provision exists under the British nationality Hong Kong Act 1997 for the registration of British nationals who would otherwise be stateless and are ordinarily resident in Hong Kong.
	We have no plans to extend these provisions within the forthcoming legislation.

Colombia: Armed Forces

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the answer of 25 November 2008,  Official Report, column 1196W, on Colombia: armed forces, whether the figure quoted for the number of Colombian armed forces personnel who received training from the British Army in 2007-08 includes those who received training in the field of counter-narcotics.

Gillian Merron: No.

Colombia: Armed Forces

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what expenditure his Department has incurred on providing training to members of the Colombian armed forces in each year since 2000.

Gillian Merron: UK bilateral training and engagement on human rights and humanitarian demining, which is largely funded by the joint Foreign and Commonwealth Office/Department for International Development/Ministry of Defence conflict prevention pool, has cost the following approximate amounts:
	
		
			
			 2000-01 (1)3,500 
			 2001-02 (1)49,000 
			 2002-03 (1)34,000 
			 2003-04 120,000 
			 2004-05 120,000 
			 2005-06 130,000 
			 2006-07 190,000 
			 2007-08 190,000 
			 2008-09 (2)190,000 
			 (1) Denotes information that is incomplete. (2) Denotes estimated spend. 
		
	
	As well as bilateral projects, the UK supports projects running through several UN agencies including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and the UN Office of Drugs and Crime, that will provide training to more than 2000 serving men and women.
	These figures do not include training given in the field of counter narcotics. We do not disclose details of this engagement, as to do so would endanger the security of the UK and Colombian personnel involved, and undermine the effectiveness of that work.

Cyprus: Armed Forces

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of reports of the Turkish navy preventing survey ships operating on behalf of the Republic of Cyprus in Cyprus's exclusive economic zone carrying out their work; what representations he has made on this matter; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: While we have made, and continue to make, our expectations and views clear to Turkey, we continue to urge restraint as further escalation at this time would be very counter-productive.
	As a signatory to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Republic of Cyprus is within its rights to explore for oil and natural resources within its territorial waters and exclusive economic zone. We hope an early solution to the Cyprus problem will allow all Cypriots to benefit from Cyprus's mineral wealth, and the UK supports all efforts to that end.
	I shall continue to follow all developments, and remain committed to supporting efforts to finding a solution in Cyprus.

Cyprus: Armed Forces

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his assessment is of the effects of recent changes in the higher ranks of the Turkish Army in Cyprus on the prospects for a settlement; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: We are pleased that the two leaders continue to meet on a regular basis to discuss a comprehensive settlement. We continue to work with all parties supporting the settlement process, encouraging flexibility and compromise.

Cyprus: Community Relations

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Turkish Cypriot authorities to enable refugee Maronites to reoccupy their villages and houses in the occupied north part of Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The UK Government are aware of the continued difficulties the Maronite community in Cyprus face as a result of the continued division of Cyprus. This includes difficulties in accessing their villages of origin and homes. Ultimately, the difficulties faced by the Maronite community as a result of the political situation on the island will only be fully resolved by a comprehensive settlement to reunite the island. We will continue to engage with the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities to support progress towards a settlement, and fully support their current negotiations towards this end.

Cyprus: Community Relations

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to permit Orthodox worshippers to  (a) freely visit the monastery of Agios Andreas in the Kerpas peninsula and  (b) ring the church bell there; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The British high commission in Nicosia are in regular contact with the appropriate Turkish Cypriots and raise such issues with them.

Cyprus: Community Relations

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Turkish Cypriot authorities with a view to obtaining the permissions and decrees necessary to restore the Agios Andreas Monastery in the Karpas peninsula; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: I regularly express the UK's support for such confidence-building measures during my contacts with Cypriot Ministers and officials, and urge both sides to look at already agreed, and new, measures and to publicise their benefits. Confidence-building measures play an important role in building trust between communities and adding momentum to discussions. It is important that these are discussed and implemented by the two communities for the benefit of all Cypriots, but they should not distract from the process.

Cyprus: Community Relations

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to assist in achieving further confidence-building measures in Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: Confidence-building measures play an important role in building trust between communities and adding momentum to discussions. It is important that these are discussed and implemented by the two communities for the benefit of all Cypriots, but that they should not distract from the process. I regularly express the UK's support for such measures during my contacts with Cypriot Ministers and officials, and urge both sides to continue to look at already agreed, and new, measures and to publicise their benefits.

Cyprus: Community Relations

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what difficulties he has identified in the restoration of the buildings at the Ledra Street crossing in Nicosia following its recent opening; what representations he is making in this regard; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: We are following this issue closely and stand ready to support the UN's efforts to achieve agreement.

Cyprus: Community Relations

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the extent of building on Greek Cypriot owned land in north Cyprus by people other than that land's lawful owners; what assessment he has made of the effects of such building on prospects for a settlement in Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The British Government are concerned at the continuing appropriation of, and construction on, Greek Cypriot-owned land in northern Cyprus. Our high commission in Nicosia regularly raises the issue of property development with the Turkish Cypriot leadership. We believe that the difficult and complex issue of property is only likely to be fully resolved in the context of a comprehensive settlement, and I remain committed to doing everything I can to support progress towards the settlement process. I continue to urge both sides to show the political will and flexibility to bridge the gap between words and deeds, and to engage constructively with the UN's efforts to broker a comprehensive and durable settlement.
	In our contacts with the Turkish Cypriot leadership, we recognise the Turkish Cypriots' need for economic development in support of reunification. However, we urge them to ensure that any property development which does take place does so in a manner that both respects the environment and does not complicate an eventual solution.

Cyprus: Community Relations

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of progress in each of the  (a) technical committees and  (b) working groups involved in the Cyprus negotiations; what assessment he has made of the prospects of implementing any of their recommendations in advance of a final settlement as confidence building measures; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: We are pleased that the two leaders continue to meet on a regular basis to discuss a comprehensive settlement and are assisted by technical committees and working groups. Confidence-building measures play an important role in building trust between communities and adding momentum to discussions. It is important that these are discussed and implemented by the two communities for the benefit of all Cypriots, but that they should not distract from the process.

Cyprus: Community Relations

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of progress in negotiations between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders towards a settlement; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: We are pleased that the two leaders continue to meet on a regular basis to discuss a comprehensive settlement. We urge both leaders and communities to seize this opportunity to reunite the island of Cyprus and to engage positively and flexibly in the process of negotiations.

Cyprus: Community Relations

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the appropriate authorities on behalf of the enclaved Maronite community in the north of Cyprus  (a) to enable them to visit the church of Agla Marina,  (b) for permission for them (i) to ring the church bell at Asomatos village and (ii) to visit the church freely and (c) for restoration of the monastery of Prophetis Elias; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The Government are aware of the difficulties faced by the Maronite community in Cyprus in accessing their villages of origin, including the villages of Agia Marina and Asomatos, and consequently in religious expression in those villages. We are also aware of the need for greater preservation of churches and other buildings of religious and cultural heritage in these villages, and throughout the northern part of Cyprus. We supported the Council of Europe's resolution concerning the protection of national minorities in Cyprus adopted on 9 July 2008, which called for
	additional measures to support the revitalisation and promotion of the cultural, religious and linguistic heritage of the Maronites.
	We have also called for an early implementation by the leaders of both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities of the sixteen confidence-building measures that they announced on 25 July 2008, three of which relate to the issue of cultural heritage. Ultimately, these issues occur as a result of the political situation on the island, and will only be fully resolved by a comprehensive settlement to reunite the island. We will continue to engage with the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities to support progress towards a settlement.

Cyprus: Community Relations

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made on behalf of the enclaved Greek Cypriots living in the Karpas peninsula; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The UK regularly discusses the issues of the enclaved along with other member states in the Committee of Ministers in the European Court of Human Rights.

Cyprus: Community Relations

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the  (a) number and  (b) average age of (i) Greek Cypriots, (ii) Turkish Cypriots and (iii) settlers from the Turkish mainland resident in the Karpas peninsula; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: There are no UK Government estimates of the  (a) number and  (b) average age of anyone living in the Karpas peninsula.

Cyprus: Community Relations

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate his Department has made of the  (a) number and  (b) average age of Maronites resident in enclaves in northern Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: There are no UK Government estimates of the  (a) number and  (b) average age of Maronites resident in northern Cyprus. The most recent UN Forces in Cyprus report referred to 142 Maronites living in the north.

Cyprus: Community Relations

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of restrictions on Greek Cypriot enclaved residents living in the Karpas penninsula on  (a) where they can live,  (b) the right of former residents to return to live there,  (c) to own a business,  (d) to repair or modernise their homes,  (e) to undertake paid employment,  (f) to hunt or fish and  (g) to educate their children; what representations he has made on their behalf to seek the lifting of such restrictions; and to whom he has made those representations.

Caroline Flint: We do not have any detailed information on any restrictions placed on Greek Cypriot enclaved residents living in the Karpas peninsula. The recent report by the UN Secretary General referred to the tight restrictions, applied by the Turkish Cypriot side, on UN movement in certain parts of the Karpas peninsula:
	which continues to hamper humanitarian and monitoring operations in the area.
	The report also noted that UN Forces in Cyprus:
	continues to receive with concern reports about the demolition of Greek Cypriot houses in the Karpas, including residences of those who had indicated their desire to return to the north.
	We are aware of the difficulties faced by Greek Cypriot communities living in the northern part of Cyprus who are enclaved as a result of the political situation on the island and the presence of Turkish troops in the northern part. This is an issue which will only be fully resolved by a comprehensive settlement to reunite the island. We will continue to engage with the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities to support progress towards a settlement.

Cyprus: Community Relations

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his estimate is of the number of  (a) Turkish nationals and  (b) Turkish settlers living in northern Cyprus, apart from members of the armed forces; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: There are no UK Government estimates of the number of  (a) Turkish nationals and  (b) Turkish settlers living in northern Cyprus.

Cyprus: Community Relations

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications of the possible opening of the proposed crossing point at Kato Pyrgos/Kokkina/Erenky/Limnitis/Yesilirmak; what representations he has made on the subject; what assessment he has made of the obstacles to the crossing point being opened; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: Confidence-building measures play an important role in building trust between communities and adding momentum to discussions. It is important that these are discussed and implemented by the two communities for the benefit of all Cypriots but that they should not distract from the process. I regularly express the UK's support for such measures during my contacts with Cypriot Ministers and officials, and urge both sides to continue to look at already agreed, and new, measures and to publicise their benefits.

Cyprus: Community Relations

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his estimate is of the level of civil society activity in northern Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: Although I have no detailed information it is clear that the level of civil society activity in northern Cyprus is increasing. It is important that civil society underpins the settlement process.

Cyprus: Community Relations

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his assessment is of levels of cross-green line contacts by civil society in Cyprus  (a) overall,  (b) by political parties,  (c) by trade unions and  (d) by young people; what steps he is taking to encourage such contacts; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: We do not have detailed figures. However, such contacts are increasing and have an important role in underpinning any settlement.

Cyprus: Community Relations

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of the imprisonment of two young Turkish Cypriots for allegedly insulting the Turkish Cypriot leader on a Facebook group they had set up; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The high commission are aware of reports in the press about the arrest of a 19-year-old and a 21-year-old appearing before the courts in relation to material published on Facebook. The reports claimed they were to be held in custody for seven days.

Cyprus: Community Relations

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Turkish Cypriot authorities on the efforts of north Cyprus police to locate 160 members of the Facebook group on which the Turkish Cypriot leader was allegedly insulted.

Caroline Flint: I have no plans to make representations on this matter.

Cyprus: Community Relations

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Turkish nationals have become citizens of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: According to figures from the 'interior ministry' in northern Cyprus, 160 people have been naturalised since 2005 and done so by the decision of the 'Council of Ministers' in northern Cyprus. This excludes marriages.

Cyprus: Community Relations

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the six chapters identified as the subjects for consideration by the leaders of the communities in Cyprus are; what process is being adopted for the consideration of each chapter; what progress is being made on consideration of each chapter; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: There are a number of issues which the negotiations could cover. Six working groups have discussed the following areas: governance and power sharing, EU matters, security and guarantees, territory, property and economic matters. The technical committees have discussed crime and criminal matters, economic and commercial matters, cultural heritage, crisis management, humanitarian and health matters and the environment. We are pleased that the two leaders continue to meet on a regular basis to discuss a comprehensive settlement. Thus far they have discussed matters of governance and power sharing.

Cyprus: Community Relations

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his assessment is of the effectiveness of the Turkish Cypriot property commission in providing an adequate remedy; how many cases have been lodged by Greek Cypriots with the commission; how many such cases have been determined; how many of those determined cases have resulted in awards of  (a) compensation and  (b) restitution; whether the awards have been implemented in each of these cases; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: According to media reports in July this year, the commission from its establishment in 2006 until June 2008, has paid 8,066,307 relating to 1,783,043 metres square of Greek Cypriot property.
	In 2006, 2,817,088 compensation was paid, while 3,991,614 was paid in 2007.
	729 applications by Greek Cypriots have been made to date of which 41 have been finalised; 35 by compensation, 3 by restitution and 2 by exchange of property. According to information released, one of the applications will have their property returned in the event of a solution.

Cyprus: Community Relations

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his assessment is of the consequences of the European Court of Justice Advocate General's opinion in the Orams case; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: We are considering the Advocate-General's opinion (AGO) carefully, but the AGO is not binding on the Court. As this case is ongoing it would not be appropriate for us to comment further on any implications.

Cyprus: Community Relations

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his assessment is of the implementation by Turkey of the Arestes judgment in the European Court of Human Rights; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: On 7 December 2006, the European Court of Human Rights gave a judgment stating that Turkey must pay a just satisfaction award (damages plus legal costs and expenses) to the applicant. This has not yet been done and we urge Turkey to pay this award promptly.

Cyprus: Community Relations

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his assessment is of the Republic of Cyprus's guardianship law in the light of the Sofi case; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The Guardian of Turkish Properties, an authority of the government of the Republic of Cyprus, was set up as the caretaker of properties in the south belonging to Turkish Cypriots who were refugees due to the division of the island. According to the law the Guardian takes over the property until the Cyprus problem is resolved when it will be handed back to its legal owners in the state it had been received.
	The European Court of Human Rights is due to examine the Sofi case. In the circumstances it would not be appropriate for the Government to comment.
	Ultimately property issues are only going to be solved as part of a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus.

Cyprus: Community Relations

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his assessment is of the consequences of the European Court of Human Rights case of Varnavas  v. Turkey; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: A Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights gave judgment in Varnavas and others  v. Turkey (application nos. 16064/90, 16065/90, 16066/90, 16068/90, 16069/90, 16070/90, 16071/90, 16072/90 and 16073/90) on 10 January 2008. That judgment is not final, since the case was referred to the Grand Chamber which held a hearing on 19 November 2008. The Grand Chamber has not yet delivered its judgment. In the circumstances it would not be appropriate for the Government to comment.

Cyprus: Community Relations

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his estimate is of the number of people who travelled across the green line from  (a) north to south and  (b) south to north in Cyprus, in (i) 2008 and (ii) each of the last four years; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: According to the annual reports on the Green Line Regulation:
	1 May 2007 to 30 April 2008: 633,163 Greek Cypriots and 1,162,739 Turkish Cypriots crossed the Green Line.
	1 May 2006 to 30 April 2007: 788,823 Greek Cypriots and 1,348,215 Turkish Cypriots crossed the Green Line
	1 May 2005 to 30 April 2006: 1,195,594 Greek Cypriots and 2,179,815 Turkish Cypriots crossed the Green Line.

Cyprus: Community Relations

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of trends in the number of mosques being built in northern Cyprus; what assessment he has made of the consequences of those trends for the prospects of settlement in Cyprus; what assessment he has made of the sources of funding for such building; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: We do not have any information on the number of mosques being built in north Cyprus or the sources of funding for such building.

Cyprus: Community Relations

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the consequences of the decisions of UK Cyprus veterans to erect a memorial in Kyrenia  (a) generally and  (b) on relations between the communities on the island; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The cemetery is not on UK territory, nor is it owned by the UK Government. It would be inappropriate, therefore, for us to comment on proposals to place memorials there.

Cyprus: EC Aid

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made in disbursing the 259 million euro earmarked by the European Union for expenditure in northern Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The European Union is providing 259 million of aid to the Turkish Cypriot community, to help bring them closer to Europe and so facilitate a settlement. As of October 2008, the projects contracted reaches a cumulative total of 60.8 million since inception, the total amount tendered reaches 119.5 million and the total paid 25.5 million. While implementation of the regulation has been slower than originally anticipated, the benefits are already being felt. The European Commission is responsible for administering the assistance. A programme team of Commission officials and contract agents was set up in 2006 to implement the programme as part of the Task Force Turkish Cypriot Community within DG Enlargement.
	Ongoing projects include a successful programme of scholarships for Turkish Cypriot students and teachers to study and teach in EU universities, grant schemes for civil society and targeted support to farmers to upgrade their equipment. Full details are contained in the Commission's most recent annual report on the implementation of the financial aid package. We agree with their conclusion that the current settlement negotiations
	will create a positive framework for facilitating the implementation and the success of this aid package
	and look forward to rapid implementation of outstanding projects.

Cyprus: Economic Situation

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his assessment is of  (a) the extent to which the Turkish Cypriot economy is subsidised by Turkey and  (b) the extent to which the Turkish Republic of northern Cyprus depends on such subsidies; what his estimate is of the number and percentage of public sector workers in the north of Cyprus excluding serving military personnel; what assessment he has made of the sustainability of the economy of northern Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: Estimates for the Turkish contribution to the 2009 Budget are 365,000,000 YTL (new Turkish lira) or 14 per cent. The estimated number of workers in the public sector is between 15,000-20,000. Approximately 39 per cent. of the budget is assigned to personnel costs. The economy is currently in recession.

Cyprus: Education

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made in  (a) Northern Cyprus and  (b) the Republic of Cyprus on education reform, with particular reference in each case to (i) the history curriculum and (ii) the availability of language teaching in the other community's language; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: In 2003, Turkish Cypriots decided to revise their history textbooks. This September, the Republic of Cyprus Education Minister Andreas Demetriou announced the setting up of a committee of experts to review Greek Cypriot history books.
	Despite commitments from both sides, the availability of language teaching in the other community's language is limited. There is currently one Greek Primary School and one Greek Secondary School in the Karpas area. There are currently a number of Turkish Cypriot students that attend a Greek Cypriot school in Limassol, where Turkish language classes are also provided.

Cyprus: Human Trafficking

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his assessment is of the extent of people trafficking  (a) for sexual purposes and  (b) other purposes in northern Cyprus in the latest period for which he has information; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: We hold no detailed information on this. However the British high commission take the issue seriously and participated in a human trafficking seminar in Cyprus earlier this year.

Cyprus: Land Mines

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much the Government contributed to the removal of land mines in Cyprus; how much other countries or organisations have contributed; how much further funding is required to complete the work; if he will consider further contributions to bridge any outstanding funding gap; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The work to remove landmines in the buffer zone has been largely funded by the EU to the sum of 9m. (The UK contributes approximately 15 per cent. to the EU budget).
	However there have also been donations of $25,000 from Slovenia and $250,000 from Canada. On 17 December the UN announced a donation of 15,000 from Hungary.
	The funds required to complete the clearance of landmines in the buffer zone stand at 5m (less the donation of 15,000 from Hungary).
	We have not yet made a final decision as to whether or not to make further donations to bridge the outstanding funding gap.

Cyprus: Land Mines

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made in Cyprus on the removal of land mines in  (a) the buffer zone,  (b) areas under the control of the Republic of Cyprus government and  (c) the Turkish occupied areas; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: To date, the UNDP Landmine and Unexploded Ordnance Clearance Project has released 6.5 million square meters of land, clearing 51 minefields and disposing of 9,163 landmines. The project has also played an important role in the opening of crossing points between the two communities, such as Ledra Street.

Cyprus: Peace Negotiations

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his assessment is of the consequences of Turkey assuming the chairmanship of the UN Security Council for the prospects of a settlement in Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The UK looks forward to working with Turkey on the UN Security Council, including as council chair, in its role as an important player in the region for peace and security. This includes on the Cyprus settlement process where the international community expects all key players to play a supportive and constructive role.

Cyprus: Press

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in which newspapers and periodicals published in northern Cyprus the UK and its High Commission places advertisements; if he will make it his policy not to place such advertisements in newspapers and periodicals owned by Asil Nadir; and if he will make a statement. [R]

Caroline Flint: The high commission primarily advertises in KIBRIS and Cyprus Today which are the two best selling and most widely read newspapers in the north. These are both owned by Asil Nadir. We also occasionally advertise in HALKIN SESI.

Cyprus: Trade

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the  (a) volume and  (b) value of trade passing (i) from north to south Cyprus, (ii) from south to north Cyprus, (iii) from north Cyprus, through Republic of Cyprus ports, to other countries, (iv) from Republic of Cyprus to Turkey and (v) from Turkey to the Republic of Cyprus for (A) the current year and (B) each of the last three years,; what assessment he has made of the obstacles to trade in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The EU publishes annual Green Line reports where this information can be found. Further details can be found at:
	http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/pdf/turkish_cypriot_community/glr_report_en.pdf.

Cyprus: Vehicles

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will put in place measures to count the number of  (a) persons and  (b) vehicles travelling directly to Sovereign Base Area territory from northern Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: There are currently no plans to put in place measures to count the number of persons and vehicles travelling directly to the Sovereign Base Area territory from northern Cyprus. However, the Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs) provide all information at their disposal on the movement of people to the Republic of Cyprus. There is practical co-operation between SBA and Republic of Cyprus officials on a daily basis, and regular meetings between the SBAs, the Republic of Cyprus and the European Commission where information on movement of persons and goods is exchanged.

Cyprus: Water Supply

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the water shortage in Cyprus and the effectiveness of policy to combat it; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: Cyprus is going through its worst water shortage for many years owing to prolonged dry seasons and lower than average rainfall year-on-year. The government of the Republic of Cyprus has looked to counteract this in several ways, including for the short term, imposing restrictions on water usage to conserve the reservoir levels and importing water from Greece. In the longer term, the Government of the Republic of Cyprus is looking at the potential of building more desalination plants to convert sea water into drinking water.
	It is too early to comment on the potential effectiveness of these policies. The level of drought experienced is unprecedented and can only be remedied in the short term with rainfall.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Peacekeeping Operations

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the additional troops for MONUC authorised by UN Security Council Resolution 1843 on 20 November to be deployed.

Gillian Merron: We aim to secure reinforcements for the United Nations mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) as quickly as possible, and will continue with our efforts to bring this about, including by lobbying potential troop contributing countries. An adequately-resourced UN peacekeeping mission is essential to ensure long-term humanitarian assistance and military support for political processes in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Security Guards

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries have taken the lead in security sector reform in Democratic Republic of Congo; and what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the reforms initiated.

Gillian Merron: The UK with other donors, including the UN, the EU, EU member states, the US, China and South Africa, has contributed to security sector reform in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Progress in this area is essential to improving stability and human rights in DRC. Issues affecting security sector reform are complex, and will take time to resolve comprehensively. Much of the work is at an early stage, and it is not yet possible to judge its success. The UK is providing support in a number of areas including through the provision of an extensive security sector accountability programme and assistance to the justice sector.
	The DRC authorities have demonstrated commitment to reform in a number of areas. We will continue to press for greater co-ordination of effort particularly to address deficiencies in army administration, to allow the army to function more effectively.

Departmental Buildings

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what use his Department is currently making of the property at 1 Carlton Gardens; whether negotiations over the lease with the Crown Estate Commissioners have now concluded; and whether the lease will be extended.

Gillian Merron: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office uses 1 Carlton Gardens for a range of events hosted by ministers and senior officials, as well as other departmental meetings. It is not being used for residential purposes. Negotiations with the Crown Estate are continuing.

Departmental Data Protection

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many civil servants in his Department have been  (a) investigated,  (b) suspended and  (c) dismissed for (i) losing and (ii) deliberately disclosing (A) data stored on departmental equipment and (B) confidential information in each year since 1997.

Gillian Merron: Our records show that since 1997 three members of staff have been investigated, suspended and dismissed for deliberately disclosing confidential information. Our records show that no staff have been suspended or dismissed for losing any data stored on departmental equipment. One member of Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff has been investigated and disciplined for having done so.

Departmental Furniture

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was spent by his Department on furniture made by  (a) British firms,  (b) Remploy and  (c) overseas firms in each year since 2000.

Gillian Merron: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office do not have any record of payments made to Remploy in this period. Information about the status of suppliers can be obtained only by examining each supplier record, and it would not be possible to do this without incurring disproportionate cost.

European Union: Civil Servants

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which members of staff of the devolved administrations' EU offices have been in the UK delegation to  (a) Council of Ministers meetings and  (b) meetings with Commissioners; what the dates of those meetings were; and which UK Government Ministers were present at each of the Ministerial meetings.

Caroline Flint: The information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Gambia

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Gambian authorities on the case of David and Fiona Fulton; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: Consular staff in the Gambia have been providing consular assistance to Mr. and Mrs. Fulton and their daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Fulton have been visited several times. They have legal representation and consular staff are in regular contact with their legal representative.
	We are making further inquiries in relation to their case, in order to establish whether representations may be appropriate.

India: Pakistan

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of relations between India and Pakistan following events in Mumbai.

Gillian Merron: This is a sensitive time for the region, following the Mumbai attacks. It will be important for Pakistan and India to co-operate fully to bring those responsible to justice and ensure that this terrible act does not prevent the dialogue between these two countries moving forward. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister visited New Delhi and Islamabad on 14 December and discussed the issues with Prime Minister Singh and President Zardari. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has also spoken to Foreign Minister Qureshi and External Affairs Minister Mukherjee.

India: Terrorism

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance he is  (a) providing and  (b) offering to the authorities in Mumbai in respect of their efforts to identify those responsible for the recent terrorist attack.

Bill Rammell: A UK police team was deployed to Mumbai to support the UK Government's response to the incident.
	We are committed to extending our already close working relationship with the Indian Government to counter the terrorist threat posed to both our countries and have offered all necessary help, including in the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks.

International Relations

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what level of voter turnout is required for elections overseas to be deemed as legitimate by his Department.

Gillian Merron: The UK participates in Electoral Observation Missions run by the EU, the OSCE and other international organisations. In assessing the validity of an election, these missions take into account a range of factors, including the degree of impartiality shown by the election management body; the degree of freedom of political parties; the fairness of access for political parties and others to the media and the conduct of the polling and counting of votes. There is no international standard on levels of voter turnout, but turnout can be an indicator of some of the factors listed above. More information about EU electoral observation missions can be found at:
	http://europa.eu/eur-lex/en/com/cnc/2000/com2000_0191_en01.pdf.

Japan: British Overseas Citizenship

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British  (a) citizens and  (b) overseas citizens are registered as living in Japan.

Bill Rammell: According to figures supplied by the Japanese Ministry of Justice, as of 17 September 2008 there were 17,328 British registered as living in Japan. This figure includes British overseas citizens as the Japanese authorities do not hold separate figures for different types of British citizenship.

Japan: Overseas Visits

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Ministers have visited Japan in the last 12 months on official business.

Bill Rammell: The information requested is as follows:
	Lord Malloch Brown, FCO (January)
	Alistair Darling MP, HMT, for G7 Finance Ministers Meeting (February)
	Malcolm Wicks MP, BERR (March)
	Phil Woolas MP, DEFRA for the G8 Gleneagles Dialogue Meeting (March)
	Gareth Thomas MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, DFID (April)
	Digby Jones, UKTI (April)
	Hilary Benn MP, DEFRA for the G8 Environment Ministers Meeting (May)
	Stephen Timms MP, DWP, for G8 Labour Ministers (May)
	John Hutton MP, BERR for the G8 Energy Ministers Meeting (June)
	David Miliband MP, FCO for the G8 Foreign Ministers (June)
	Ian Pearson MP as Science Minister for the G8 Science Ministers meeting (June )
	Alistair Darling MP, HMT, for G8 Finance Ministers (June)
	Gordon Brown for the G8 Summit (July)
	Lord Adonis (November)

Japan: Terrorism

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his Japanese counterpart on action against terrorism.

Bill Rammell: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs discussed international efforts against terrorism in Afghanistan during a meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Foreign Minister Nakasone, on 26 September 2008 in New York. In this context, we welcome the recent Japanese extension of their contribution to Operation Enduring Freedom in the Indian ocean.
	The UK continues to work with Japan (and other partners) within the G8 to counter international terrorism by exchanging ideas and developing best practices in areas such as law enforcement, transport security and capacity building.

Military Aid

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what human rights assessment the Government makes before granting military aid to a foreign government.

Gillian Merron: Every case is considered individually and kept under constant review. All decisions to provide a country with assistance are taken to encourage adherence to international humanitarian law, or to help address issues of concern. The UK abides by its commitments under international law, including those under international human rights law and expects all countries to comply with their international legal obligations. When providing military equipment, the Government judge all military aid against the consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria. Criterion 2 refers specifically to:
	the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the country of final destination.
	The UK would not undertake the export of military equipment if there was a clear risk that it would be used for human rights abuses.

Morocco: Borders

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in light of the EU-Morocco Association Agreement, the European Union has asked Morocco to define its borders.

Bill Rammell: The European Union has not asked Morocco to define its borders in light of the EU-Morocco Association Agreement.

Morocco: EU External Relations

Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the compliance of Morocco with UN Security Council resolutions calling for a referendum on self-determination was raised with Morocco in the recent meeting of the EU-Morocco sub-committee on human rights, democracy and governance.

Bill Rammell: Negotiations under UNHCR 1813 were not discussed at the 8 October EU-Morocco Human Rights Subcommittee meeting. Western Sahara was discussed at the EU Association Council meeting on 13 October.
	The UK supports the negotiation process initiated in Manhasset in 2007 to achieve a political outcome to the Western Sahara question and has called on the parties to maintain their commitment to the negotiation process. The UK looks forward to the appointment by the UN Secretary General of a new Personal Envoy to take forward the next round of negotiations.

Morocco: Human Rights

Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will discuss with his Moroccan counterpart the award of the 25th Annual Robert F Kennedy Human Rights Award to Aminatou Haidar.

Bill Rammell: I congratulate Aminatou Haidar on her award. FCO Officials met with her in 2007.
	The UK is concerned about the humanitarian impact of the ongoing conflict in Western Sahara and continues to discuss a range of issues relating to Western Sahara with Morocco.
	The British ambassador to Morocco regularly holds discussions with Moroccan officials on Western Sahara. The most recent high level discussions took place at the Euro Mediterranean conference in Marseille on 3 November, where the Foreign Secretary discussed Western Sahara and human rights, with the Moroccan Foreign Minister, Taieb Fassi Fihri.

Pakistan: Prisoners

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens were imprisoned in Pakistan in 2006; and how many such citizens received consular assistance.

Bill Rammell: The number of British nationals who were imprisoned in Pakistan in 2006 and whose detention was reported to the British high commission in Islamabad or the British deputy high commission in Karachi was 34. We have provided appropriate consular assistance to all of these individuals.
	With regard to individuals of dual British/Pakistani nationality, we may only be aware that a dual national has been detained if the detaining authorities inform us of the detention, or allow the person to contact our consular staff. When we do seek access to a detained dual national in the country of their other nationality, that access, and any help we can provide, will depend on the agreement of the other state.

Rashid Rauf

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Mr. Rashid Rauf was contacted by consular officials in Pakistan during 2006.

Bill Rammell: Mr. Rashid Rauf was not contacted by consular officials in Pakistan during 2006. Rashid Rauf is a dual Pakistani/British citizen who was in custody in the country of his other nationality. We do not normally provide consular assistance in these circumstances.

Russia: BBC External Services

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of estimates by the Russian Service of the BBC World Service of the number of Russian internet users able to listen to broadcasts via a broadband internet connection to its website.

Caroline Flint: Independent research indicates that by the end of 2008 Russia will have overtaken the UK to become the second largest internet market in Europe, with 40.3 million internet users, and that there will be 7.4 million households (14 per cent.) with a broadband connection. These numbers are rising rapidly, and it is expected that in 2012 there will be 59 million internet users in Russia, and 21 million households with broadband access.
	All internet users with a broadband connection should be able to listen to BBC Russian Service broadcasts via its website, as should those with dial up/narrowband connections. All audience measurement research used by BBC World Service is carried out by independent agencies.

Russia: BBC External Services

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many hours per week on average there were of  (a) news-related and  (b) other programming broadcast on the Russian Service of the BBC World Service in (i) the last month, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1988.

Caroline Flint: In November 2008, the BBC Russian Service broadcast about 45 hours of live news and current affairs programming on its radio service, per week on average, as well as about 34 hours per week of features and other pre-recorded programming, of which about three hours were original production and the remaining hours repeats. Some of this programming would have incorporated themes from the news and current affairs output.
	Comparable figures for 1988 and 1998 could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, since 2004, the BBC Russian Service has focused increasingly on strengthening its news and current affairs programming, particularly at key audience listening times, in line with BBC World Service objectives and in order to increase impact with audiences in Russia and the former Soviet Union.

Russia: BBC External Services

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the steps the Russian Service of the BBC World Service has taken to determine the level of support among Russian listeners for an increase in news-related programming on BBC Russia.

Caroline Flint: All audience and market research used by BBC World Service is carried out independently. Such research shows that audiences turn to BBC World Service primarily for news.
	The most recent audience survey carried out in Russia for the BBC found that of all BBC output, news attracts the largest audiences, and that the weekly BBC audiences are especially heavy news consumers. Independently-produced internet audience figures show that the number of users of the BBC Russian Service's website increased by over a million in August 2008, at the height of the conflict between Russia and Georgia, to 2.4 million.

Thailand: Politics and Government

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of UK citizens who were caught up in the recent blockade of Bangkok's two main airports; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: At this time of year approximately 1,000 British nationals are estimated to fly in to Thailand each day. During the blockade approximately 1,250 stranded British nationals registered with us using our online registration service, LOCATE. By 4 December the information available from the major airlines flying to/from Thailand suggested there were a maximum of 2,000 British nationals in Thailand who remained unable to leave as a result of the disruption. However, many were able to get seats on flights on 5 December, Suvarnabhumi International Airport's first day back at full operation, and over the subsequent weekend.

Thailand: Politics and Government

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Thailand.

Bill Rammell: The political situation in Thailand remains uncertain. The Thai Constitutional Court ruled on 2 December to dissolve three government coalition parties, including the People's Power Party, and banned executive members of the parties, including Prime Minister Somchai, from politics for five years. The leader of the Democrat Party, Abhisit Vejjavija, was elected Prime Minister on 15 December and is in the process of forming a new government. However, we cannot rule out the possibility of further demonstrations and violent unrest. We continue to urge all parties to resolve their differences peacefully, respecting the rule of law and Thailand's democratic institutions.

Tibet

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department has persuaded the Chinese government to take in respect of Tibet since his announcement on the change of position on the status of Tibet.

Bill Rammell: I issued a public statement on 24 November following the conclusion of the Tibetan exiles' meeting in Dharamsala, in which I again urged the Chinese government to engage in substantive discussion with the Dalai Lama's representatives, on the proposals put forward by the Tibetan side.
	In addition, both I and Simon McDonald, the Prime Minister's Foreign Policy adviser met with Zhu Weiqun the Assistant Minister from the United Front Work Department on 14 November. We made clear the Government's wish for the Chinese government to address the human rights situation in Tibet, through a meaningful system of autonomy.

Tibet

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of the outcomes of the eighth round of talks between the representatives of the Chinese government and the Tibetan government-in-exile; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: The first session of the special general meeting took place in Dharamsala 17-22 November 2008. In total 560 participants from 19 different countries attended. The meeting agreed a number of recommendations, a summary of these is available at:
	http://www.tibet.net/en/index.php?id=546 articletype=flashrmenuid=morenews
	I issued a statement on the conclusion of the talks on 24 November. I welcomed the renewed commitment from the Tibetan exile movement to pursue a sustainable solution to the underlying issues in Tibet through dialogue with China and non-violent means. I also said that I believed that some of the proposals put forward by the Tibetan side prior to the last round of dialogue should provide a basis for substantive discussions, focussed initially on identifying points of agreement.

Tibet

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what date has been set for the next round of the UK-China human rights dialogue.

Bill Rammell: The next round of the UK-China human rights dialogue has been set for 12-13 January 2009.

Turkey: EU Accession

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the prospects of Turkey meeting the obligations under the Ankara Protocol before the assessment in 2009 of Turkey's EU accession prospects; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The UK notes that Turkey has not implemented its obligations under the Ankara agreement protocol. Turkey needs to meet all its obligations under the accession process, including on the Ankara protocol, and we regularly urge them to do so as soon as possible. The UK continues to be a strong supporter of Turkey's EU accession process.

UN Cyprus Committee on Missing Persons

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the annual budgetary requirement of the UN Cyprus Committee on Missing Persons is; how many sets of human remains of  (a) Greek Cypriots and  (b) Turkish Cypriots the Committee has (i) recovered, (ii) identified and (iii) returned to relatives; how many sites the Committee has (A) investigated and (B) excavated; how many sites remain to be investigated; how much the Government has provided for the work of the Committee in each of the last four years; which other countries and organisations have provided for in each of the last four years, and how much in each case; if he will consider making further funds available to meet the Committee's budgetary requirements; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The annual budget requirement for 2009 is $3m. So far 466 bodies have been exhumed of which 352 are Greek Cypriot, 104 Turkish Cypriot and 10 sets of remains whose details have yet to be determined.
	Of the exhumed bodies, 110 have been identified and returned of which 78 are Greek Cypriot and 32 Turkish Cypriot.
	The Committee have excavated more than 200 grave sites, out of which less than half yielded remains. There are no figures for the number of sites which are still to be investigated - mapping out the grave sites is an ongoing task carried out by both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot members of the Committee of Missing Persons (CMP).
	The level of UK donations over the last four years has been:
	
		
			  US$ 
			 2004 50,000 
			 2006 86,257 
			 2007 23,041 
		
	
	A full list of donations is:
	
		
			  Donors  Status  Date  Amount in currency  Amount in USD( 1) 
			 United Kingdom Donation November 2004 US$50,000 US$50,000 
			 Cyprus Donation November 2005 CY 60,000 US$138,249 
			 Germany Donation December 2005 100,000 US$134,409 
			 Greece Donation January 2006 CY 29,999 US$69,122 
			 Greece Donation January 2006 CY 20,000(2) US$46,083 
			 Turkey Donation January 2006(3) US$ 100,000 US$ 100,000 
			 Cyprus Donation February 2006 CY 70,000 US$ 161,290 
			 United Kingdom Donation April 2006 CY 37,435.50 US$ 86,257 
			 Turkish Cypriots Donation May 2006 CY 71,119.35 US$ 163,869 
			 Cyprus Donation June 2006 CY 70,000 US$161,290 
			 Cyprus Donation July 2006 CY 200,000 US$460,829 
			 Turkey Donation September 2006 US$ 87,000 US$ 87,000 
			 Spain Donation November 2006 100,000 US$134,409 
			 Ireland Donation November 2006 50,000 US$67,204 
			 Belgium Donation February 2007 250,000 US$ 336,022 
			 European Commission Donation July 2007 1,500,000(4) US$ 2,016,129 
			 United States Donation April-October 2007 US$ 135,000(5) US$ 135,000 
			 United Kingdom Donation May 2007 CY 10,000 US$23,041 
			 Turkey Donation July 2007 US$50,000 US$50,000 
			 United States Donation July 2007 US$ 411,570(5) US$ 411,470 
			 Cyprus Donation October 2007 Mechanical digger + parts US$ 102,677 
			 Australia Donation October 2007 AU$10,000 US$ 8,000 
			 Ireland Donation December 2007 50,000 US$.73,600 
			 Netherlands Donation January 2008 250,000 US$.372,123 
			 Cyprus Grant February 2008 165,600 US$ 244,922 
			 Greece Donation July 2008 100,000 US$.155,000 
			 Cyprus Donation September 2008 Excavator + 2 4X4 trucks US$ 131,484 
			 Spain Donation November 2008 50,000 US$64,683 
			 Germany Donation December 2008 100,000 US$129,366 
			 Ireland Donation December 2008 50,000 US$64,683 
			 TotalUS$6,178,211 
			 (1) As per UN applicable exchange rate at the time of the donation. (2) Donated directly to the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics (CING) in Nicosia for CMP-related work. (3) US$ 50,000 donated directly to the Turkish Cypriot DNA laboratory at Dr. Burhan Nalbantolu Hospital in Nicosia and US$ 50,000 donated directly to the Turkish Cypriots to carry out exhumation in the north. (4) Contribution to the CMP Project granted as part of the Council Regulation (EC) No 389/2006 establishing an instrument of financial support for encouraging the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community and amending Council Regulation (EC) No 2667/2000 on the European Agency for Reconstruction, with the agreement of the Turkish Cypriot community. (5) Donated by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) via the United Nations Development ProgrammeAction for Co-operation and Trust (UNDP-ACT) programme in Cyprus. It permitted the construction of the CMP Family Viewing Facility, located next to the CMP anthropological laboratory, inaugurated on 18 March 2008for the second donation, see website of the US embassy in Nicosia 
		
	
	We have not yet made a final decision as to whether or not to make further donations to meet the Committee's budgetary requirements.

Western Sahara

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the answer of 25 November 2008,  Official Report, column 1214W, on Western Sahara: politics and government, whether he has discussed with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights the Government's position on human rights monitoring in the Western Sahara.

Bill Rammell: I have had no recent discussions on human rights monitoring in Western Sahara with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
	The UK strongly supports UNHCR's activities in Western Sahara as elsewhere. The UK continues to believe that the resolution of humanitarian questions should not await the conclusion of a political settlement. The UK, along with EU partners, has called on Morocco and the Polisario to deal with outstanding human rights issues and implement measures that will increase people's confidence.
	I understand the High Commissioner will visit the region early next year and I wish her a successful visit.

Western Sahara

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations on Morocco's continued occupation of Western Sahara to the Moroccan ambassador to the UK.

Gillian Merron: The UK supports the negotiation process initiated in Manhasset in 2007 to achieve a political outcome to the Western Sahara question. We hope a further round of talks will take place soon. UNSCR 1813 adopted on 30 April 2008 called on the parties to continue to show political will and to work in an atmosphere propitious for dialogue in order to enter into a more intensive and substantive phase of negotiation. The UK has reiterated the words of the UNSG, calling on the parties to work with a spirit of realism and compromise towards a mutually acceptable political solution that will provide for self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.
	My officials regularly discuss the issue of Western Sahara with their Moroccan counterparts including the Moroccan ambassador to the UK. I discussed Western Sahara with the Moroccan Foreign Minister at the Euromed Conference in Marseille on 3 November.

Western Sahara

Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has discussed with his Moroccan counterpart the movement of Moroccan settlers to occupied Western Sahara and the application of the Geneva Convention to such settlements; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary did discuss Western Sahara, and specifically human rights, with the Moroccan Foreign Minister Fassi Fihri in November, at the Union for the Mediterranean Ministerial meeting in Marseille. Neither my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary nor I have discussed the issue of migration between Morocco and Western Sahara with our Moroccan counterparts.
	The UK continues to believe that progress towards a negotiated solution to the dispute in Western Sahara providing for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara, is best achieved under the auspices of the United Nations. To this end and in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution (1813) of 30 April, the UK fully supports the efforts of the UN in this respect and looks forward to the appointment of a new UN Secretary General Personal Envoy to the Western Sahara, and the resumption of the Manhasset negotiations.

Western Sahara

Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the killing of two Saharawi students on 1 December 2008; and what action the ambassador in Rabat has taken.

Bill Rammell: Two Saharawi students were crushed by a bus on 1 December 2008 in the coach station of Agadir. The coach station was busier than normal with a high number of passengers seeking to travel to their home cities to celebrate the festival of Eid Al Adha with their families. Local media reports claim that a coach company declined to accept students in possession of vouchers for free transport and some of those students attempted to prevent the coach from leaving the station. Unfortunately two students were fatally injured during the ensuing commotion.
	The Attorney-General in Morocco directed the police to conduct a probe into the incident and the coach driver has been placed in police custody. Following the incident there were demonstrations at university campuses at which some students were arrested but subsequently released.
	The British embassy in Morocco has been monitoring the situation in region.

Western Sahara: Fisheries

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to press for the exclusion of Western Saharan waters from any new agreement to replace the current EU-Morocco Fisheries Agreement on its expiry.

Bill Rammell: As with previous fisheries agreements, the EU-Morocco Fisheries Agreement applies to
	the Moroccan fisheries zone under the sovereignty or jurisdiction of the Kingdom of Morocco.
	The fisheries agreement does not in any way prejudice the issue of the status of Western Sahara. The UK continues to believe that progress towards a negotiated solution to the dispute in Western Sahara providing for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara, is best achieved under the auspices of the United Nations. To this end and in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution (1813) of 30 April, the UK fully supports the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and his staff, and the negotiation process currently underway.

Western Sahara: Politics and Government

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the answer of 6 October 2008,  Official Report, column 240, on Western Sahara: politics and government, what progress has been made by the UN in its negotiations with the Moroccan government on compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 1813.

Bill Rammell: The UN Security Council adopted UN Security Council Resolution 1813 on 30 April. It called on the parties to show greater political will and to enter into more intensive and substantive negotiations towards a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. Since then the contract appointing Peter Van Walsum as the United Nations Personal Envoy to Western Sahara has expired. The UK hopes that the UN Secretary General will appoint a new personal envoy shortly and that a further round of negotiations under the Manhasset process will take place soon. The UK fully supports the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and his staff, and the negotiation process currently underway and has called on the parties to maintain their commitment to the process.

Western Sahara: Politics and Government

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last  (a) assessed the political situation in the Western Sahara and  (b) considered the different options in the UN Security Council.

Bill Rammell: UK officials at our embassies in Rabat and in Algiers continue to assess the situation in Western Sahara and in the Tindouf camps closely. Officials based at the British embassy in Rabat visited Western Sahara in October 2008, calling on government officials, local NGOs and the UN peacekeeping mission, MINURSO. I anticipate further such visits in the future, as well as visits by UK officials to the camps in Tindouf.
	We and other members of the UN Security Council considered the situation and the options available to the Council prior to the adoption of UN Security Council resolution 1813, on 30 April 2008. In line with UNSC resolution 1813, we continue to support the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and his staff to assist the parties in achieving a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.

Zimbabwe: Cholera

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe since October 2008; what discussions he has had with governments in the region on the matter; what assistance his Department has given to people affected by the outbreak; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: I have been asked to reply.
	The United Nations (UN) in Zimbabwe issues daily and weekly updates on the cholera outbreak, which we are following closely. We are also monitoring the regional impact of the outbreak and the Department for International Development (DFID) offices in the region are in regular touch with Ministries of Health in the affected countries.
	DFID is funding a 10 million package to help fight the cholera outbreak and support life-saving health services. DFID's support includes vital medicines, clean water supplies, purification tablets and rehydration fluids to treat those affected.

Zimbabwe: Politics and Government

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Zimbabwe.

Gillian Merron: The appalling humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe is a symptom of the wider political failure. Robert Mugabe's regime is unwilling to respond to the needs of Zimbabwe's people, who voted overwhelmingly for change last March. We continue to press for action to resolve the crisis via the EU and UN Security Council and with countries in the region and across Africa.

TRANSPORT

A303

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will review the Highways Agency's plans to close the A303 in Somerset and Wiltshire for 14 weeks from February 2009; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Clark: Following the Highways Agency's Public Information Days and Stakeholder Consultation, the agency has decided that a 14-week closure of the A303 is not the best way to effect the essential maintenance works required on the A303 Willoughby Hedge to Mere. The agency is currently undertaking a full review of the scheme, which will include the construction programme, the extent and type of works, and the need to reduce the impact and inconvenience of this work to road users and the general public.

A303

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons the proposed works to the A303 are not to be carried out in a manner that leaves one direction open to traffic; and if he will review the proposed working arrangements.

Paul Clark: Maintenance work on the single carriageway section of the A303 between Willoughby Hedge and Mere is essential because of the increasing number of road defects requiring immediate attention, together with the poor condition of existing drainage systems.
	Single-lane working was considered by the Highways Agency but was not pursued because of concerns about road worker safety, duration of the works and likely traffic delays.
	Following the agency's public information days and stakeholder consultation, the agency has decided that a 14 week closure of the A303 is not the best way to effect the essential maintenance works required on the A303 Willoughby Hedge to Mere. The agency is currently undertaking a full review of the scheme, which will include the construction programme, the extent and type of works and the need to reduce the impact and inconvenience of this work to road users and the general public.

Advertising: Complaints

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many complaints about advertisements sponsored or funded by his Department were made to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) in each year from 1997 to 2008; and how many of these were upheld by the ASA in each year.

Geoff Hoon: Since the Department for Transport formed in 2002, 264 complaints had been made about 142 Department and executive agency advertisements or marketing initiatives. No complaints to date have been upheld by the ASA.
	To break down the number of complaints by fiscal year would incur disproportionate costs.

Airwave Service: British Transport Police

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many Airwave handsets issued to the British Transport Police (BTP) have been lost in each year since their introduction; and how many handsets issued to the BTP have been disabled by the service provider through  (a) loss,  (b) breakage and  (c) other reasons in each such year.

Paul Clark: The information is not held in the form requested. However, the British Transport Police inform me that the force introduced Airwave progressively over a five-year period starting in late 2002. Since 2002, 34 sets have been lost and another 94 have been withdrawn from service having been damaged beyond economic repair.

Airwave Service: Highways Agency

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many Airwave handsets issued to the Highways Agency have been lost in each year since their introduction; and how many handsets issued to the Agency have been disabled by the service provider through  (a) loss,  (b) breakage and  (c) other reasons in each such year.

Paul Clark: The number of radio handsets lost is as follows:
	
		
			   Pieces 
			 2008 6 
			 2007 4 
			 2006 3 
			 2005 (1)2 
			 (1) Stolen from vehicle.  Note: The Traffic Officer Service was not fully operational this year. 
		
	
	All of the aforementioned radio handsets were disabled by the service provider. The standard procedure in the event of loss is to contact the service provider (Airwave Solutions Ltd) and either 'stun' or 'kill' the radio, according to the circumstances of the loss.
	No radio handsets have been disabled by the service provider because they were broken. Such a radio would have the hardware replaced by the manufacturer, and re-registered with its new identity by the service provider. The 'International Short Subscriber Identity' (ISSI) remains unchanged.
	No radio handsets have been disabled by the service provider for other reasons.

Aviation: Exhaust Emissions

Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to the answer of 19 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 480-81W, on aviation: exhaust emissions, 
	(1)  whether his forecast was based on an assumption that the growth of aviation after 2030 will be limited by capacity constraints;
	(2)  what capacity constraints are likely to limit the growth of aviation in the UK after 2030;
	(3)  what the figures would be if it were assumed that between 2030 and 2050 aviation were to continue to grow at the same rate as forecast up to 2030.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Department for Transport's UK Air Passenger Demand and CO2 Forecasts 2007 report explains that forecast growth in air passenger demand will be limited by UK airport capacity constraints (page 11), and by the maturing of the air travel market (page 19).
	The same report, on page 36, shows the terminal and capacity assumptions used in the forecasts. By 2050, it is forecast that all modelled airports in the South East and some others elsewhere in the UK will become capacity constrained.
	The 2003 Air Transport White Paper supported the building of two new runways in the South East. On this basis, assuming that the pre-2030 growth rate continued to 2050 would not present a feasible view of the world post-2030, and therefore the Department for Transport does not have a CO2 emissions forecast based on these assumptions.

Bus Lanes: Cambridgeshire

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the  (a) original and  (b) latest estimated cost is of (i) the Cambridgeshire guided busway and (ii) the Luton-Dunstable busway.

Paul Clark: The original 2003 cost estimate submitted for Department for Transport (DFT) approval for the Cambridge Guided Busway was 73.8 million. When final approval for the scheme was provided in 2006, the revised cost was 116.2 million, which remains the current overall scheme cost estimated by Cambridgeshire county council.
	The Luton-Dunstable Busway had an original cost of 84.39 million in 2003. That cost remains unchanged and is subject to scrutiny before final DFT approval currently expected in 2009.

Bus Services: Concessions

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what changes he expects the provisions of the Local Transport Act 2008 to make to the abilities of local authorities to subsidise local bus services for their community when brought into force; and what timetable he has set for the commencement of the Act's provisions.

Paul Clark: The Local Transport Act 2008 (the 2008 Act) contains provisions to enhance the powers of local transport authorities in England and Wales to secure improvements to local bus services in their areas. Options for these authorities include through voluntary partnership agreements, quality partnership schemes and quality contracts (bus franchising) schemes.
	Voluntary partnership agreements and quality partnership schemes offer the potential for local authorities to secure improvements to the standard of local bus services, alongside local authority investment in new or improved facilities for bus services and passengers. Quality contracts may provide for the payment of subsidy for the operation of local services under those contracts, and the 2008 Act includes provisions to make quality contracts schemes a more realistic option for local authorities.
	Local transport authorities already have the power to enter into subsidised service agreements with bus operators, by virtue of section 9A of the Transport Act 1968 (for Passenger Transport Authorities) and section 63 of the Transport Act 1985 (for other local transport authorities). The 2008 Act amends these powers to allow subsidy agreements to be entered into, not only where services would not be provided at all in the absence of subsidy (as at present), but also where they would not be provided to a particular standard. Provisions in the 2008 Act also increase the maximum permitted duration for subsidised service agreements from five to eight years.
	Except where specific provision is made in section 134 of the 2008 Act, the provisions of that Act are to be brought into force by commencement order made by the Secretary of State (or in some cases by the Welsh Ministers, in so far as provisions apply in Wales). The first commencement order is expected to be made early in 2009.

Bus Services: Schools

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what his Department's policy is on the placement of bus stops for school transport alongside dual carriageways; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what guidance his Department provides to local authorities on the road safety aspects of the placement of bus stops for school transport; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Clark: The Department for Transport provides general guidance on bus stop provision, including road safety considerations, in chapter 8 of Local Transport Note 1/97: Keeping Buses Moving. This is available on the Department for Transport website at
	www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/tpm/ltnotes/.
	The guidance does not provide specific advice on the placement of bus stops for school transport.
	Decisions on placement of bus stops are a matter for the local highway authority in consultation with bus operators and other interested parties such as the police.

Cycling

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has issued guidance to those local authorities involved in the cycling demonstration towns initiative on measuring changes in the use of cycling as a means of transport.

Paul Clark: The Department for Transport awarded a contract in February 2006 to Sustrans Research and Monitoring Unit together with the Institute for Transport Studies at the University of Leeds and the University of Bolton to undertake monitoring of cycle levels in the Cycling Demonstration Towns (CDTs). A part of that contract is to work closely with each local authority in establishing an effective monitoring regime.
	The Department also contracted a specialist cycling advice team to give free advice to local authorities, including the CDTs, on a range of infrastructure issues. The advice team has provided guidance on the monitoring and evaluation of cycling activities, which is available on Cycling England, our advisory body's website at:
	http://www.cyclingengland.co.uk/site/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/c05_monitoring.pdf
	The CDT programme was expanded in June 2008 to 18 cities and towns. The department awarded a further contract in November 2008 to Sustrans to monitor cycle levels in the expanded programme and expect to shortly award a contract to evaluate the impact that increased cycle levels has on a range of issues such as health, congestion and road safety in these places.

Dartford-Thurrock Crossing: Road Traffic

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has assessed the effects upon traffic congestion of the increase in tolls at the Dartford River Crossing; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Clark: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 11 December 2008,  Official Report, column 212W.

Departmental Air Travel

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many journeys  (a) he and his predecessors and  (b) his officials made by aeroplane in the course of their duties in each of the last five years.

Geoff Hoon: The information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Correspondence

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many  (a) letters and  (b) e-mails received by his Department had not been responded to as at 15 December 2008.

Geoff Hoon: The information is as follows.
	 (a) The Cabinet Office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on the performance of Departments in replying to Members/Peers correspondence. Information relating to 2008 will be published as soon as it has been collated. The report for 2007 was published on 20 March 2008,  Official Report, columns 71-74WS. Reports for earlier years are available in the Library of the House. When responding to all correspondence Departments should abide by the guidance as set out in Handling correspondence from MPs, Lords, MEPs and Members of Devolved Assemblies which was published by the Cabinet office in July 2005.
	 (b) In respect of e-mails, the Department for Transport will not be able to provide the information within the disproportionate cost limit (750) as to do so would require gathering information from every official in the Department.

Departmental Data Protection

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of contractors and suppliers to  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies has reported compliance with the Government's security standards following publication of the report, Data Handling Procedures in Government, and the accompanying document, Cross-departmental Actions: Mandatory Minimum Action, on 25 June 2008.

Geoff Hoon: The information is not held in the form of a percentage as requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The Department's Senior Information Risk Owner (SIRO) wrote to the Department's major IT suppliers who handle personal data on the subject of data handling on 23 June 2008. All 12 have responded, assuring the SIRO of compliance with the measures in the Data Handling Procedures in Government report.
	Those suppliers and all others involved in collecting, handling or storing the Department's information assets are required to provide assurance to the DfT SIRO and board on a quarterly basis, through the Department's Information Asset Owners, that they have implemented the appropriate measures.
	For new contracts with contractors and suppliers, the Department is implementing the appropriate OGC guidance including new contract clauses.

Departmental Data Protection

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department appointed a senior information risk owner in accordance with the report, Data Handling Procedures in Government and the accompanying document Cross-departmental Actions: Mandatory Minimum Action; and what grade the person holds within the Department.

Geoff Hoon: The Department for Transport appointed a Senior Information Risk Owner (SIRO) in 2004 as part of the Government's approach to dealing with risks and threats to information systems, lead by the Central Sponsor for Information Assurance (CSIA). The appointment was a board member at director general level, grade SCSPB3.
	The responsibilities of the SIRO were revised to take account of the mandatory minimum actions from the Data Handling Procedures in Government report, published in June 2008.

Departmental Data Protection

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of the IT systems in  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies are fully accredited to the Government's security standards.

Geoff Hoon: The percentage of IT systems in the central Department that are currently fully accredited to HMG standards is 67 per cent. The remainder are currently in the process of being brought into accreditation.
	The percentage of IT systems in the Department's seven executive agencies and its shared service centre that are currently fully accredited to HMG standards is 71 per cent. A further 26 per cent. are in the process of being brought into accreditation. The remaining IT systems are under review for accreditation or to be decommissioned.
	The accreditation of the Department's IT systems is a continuous process, as new systems are brought into service and existing systems are required to be periodically re-accredited, or in response to changes in services, technology or the security threats.

Departmental Energy

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to reduce the amount of energy it wastes.

Geoff Hoon: The Government's Delivery Plan for 'Sustainable Procurement and Operations on the Government Estate', published in August 2008, provides a full account of the initiatives Departments are taking to reduce their energy waste. The Government have committed to updating the delivery plan on a six monthly basis, and the first of these updates was published on 18 December 2008.

Departmental Equality

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information his Department holds on the  (a) sex,  (b) ethnicity,  (c) age,  (d) disability,  (e) sexual orientation and  (f) religion or belief of its staff; and what assessment he has made of his Department's performance against its targets relating to diversity in its workforce.

Geoff Hoon: The Department for Transport holds information on the gender, ethnic origin, age and disability of the majority of its staff. Information is also recorded on sexual orientation and religion and belief although a significant proportion of staff have chosen to withhold this information.
	This information, and information on the Department's performance against its targets, are published in the Department's annual report. The report is available online at:
	www.dft.gov.uk/about/publications/apr/ar2008.

Departmental Furniture

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was spent by his Department on furniture made by  (a) British firms,  (b) Remploy and  (c) overseas firms in each year since 2000.

Geoff Hoon: The Department for Transport was formed in May 2002. The Department has spent 45,787,332 on furniture with British based firms, 31,250 with Remploy and 257,204 with overseas firms since 2002. The breakdown is as follows:
	
		
			   Sector  Spend () 
			 2002-03 British Firms 4,064,176 
			  Remploy 0 
			  Overseas Firms 0 
			
			 2003-04 British Firms 11,511,281 
			  Remploy 27,222 
			  Overseas Firms 0 
			
			 2004-05 British Firms 13,539,857 
			  Remploy 4,028 
			  Overseas Firms 0 
			
			 2005-06 British Firms 5,935,787 
			  Remploy 0 
			  Overseas Firms 257,204 
			
			 2006-07 British Firms 5,976,967 
			  Remploy 0 
			  Overseas Firms 0 
			
			 2007-08 British Firms 4,759,264 
			  Remploy 0 
			  Overseas Firms 0 
		
	
	The Department for Transport utilises the Office of Government Commerce Buying Solutions office furniture contract for the vast majority of its furniture purchases. All companies on that contract are British based or have British operating arms.

Departmental Manpower

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many civil servants in his Department work on his Department's policy on  (a) walking,  (b) cycling,  (c) motoring,  (d) aviation and  (e) rail.

Geoff Hoon: As the Department takes an integrated, cross-modal approach to transport policy, civil servants will often work on several modes. Accordingly a percentage breakdown of the amount of time civil servants work on each of the different modes could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Recruitment

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of DfT(C)'s staff recorded as being  (a) from an ethnic minority and  (b) white (i) applied for and (ii) obtained posts within DfT(C) on promotion in each year since DfT(C)'s formation.

Geoff Hoon: The Department for Transport (Central) recorded the following percentage of (ii) obtained posts on promotion for staff from an  (a) ethnic minority and  (b) white origin:
	
		
			  Financial year  Ethnicity  Percentage of staff promoted within ethnic group 
			 2002-03 Ethnic minority 4.25 
			  White 4.60 
			 2003-04 Ethnic minority 6.61 
			  White 8.47 
			 2004-05 Ethnic minority 5.34 
			  White 6.56 
			 2005-06 Ethnic minority 10.75 
			  White 7.10 
			 2006-07 Ethnic minority 6.30 
			  White 8.04 
			 2007-08 Ethnic minority 10.51 
			  White 7.07 
		
	
	Details of (i) applications for such positions can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Recruitment

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff of each grade recorded as being  (a) from an ethnic minority,  (b) white and  (c) of unknown or undeclared ethnicity transferred into DfT(C) from other parts of his Department or other Government Departments in the last two years.

Geoff Hoon: 154 people have transferred in to the Department for Transport (Central) from other parts of his Department or other Government Departments during the last two financial years (2006-07 and 2007-08) as shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Grade  Ethnicity  Number directly recruited from other Government Departments 
			 PB1 Ethnic minority 0 
			  White 0 
			  Unknown/undeclared 0 
			 PB2 Ethnic minority 1 
			  White 5 
			  Unknown/undeclared 6 
			 PB3 Ethnic minority 4 
			  White 5 
			  Unknown/undeclared 9 
			 PB4 Ethnic minority 6 
			  White 25 
			  Unknown/undeclared 15 
			 PB5 Ethnic minority 2 
			  White 10 
			  Unknown/undeclared 1 
			 PB6 Ethnic minority 2 
			  White 23 
			  Unknown/undeclared 16 
			 PB7 Ethnic minority 2 
			  White 3 
			  Unknown/undeclared 5 
			 SCSPB1 Ethnic minority 0 
			  White 13 
			  Unknown/undeclared 0 
			 SCSPB2 Ethnic minority 0 
			  White 0 
			  Unknown/undeclared 0 
			 SCSPB3 Ethnic minority 0 
			  White 1 
			  Unknown/undeclared 0 
			 Total Ethnic minority 17 
			  White 85 
			  Unknown/undeclared 52

Departmental Recruitment

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff of each grade recorded as being  (a) from an ethnic minority,  (b) white and  (c) of unknown or undeclared ethnicity were directly recruited into DfT(C) from outside the Civil Service in the last two years.

Geoff Hoon: The Department for Transport (Central) has recruited 175 staff from outside the civil service during the last two financial years (2006-07 and 2007-08), as shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Grade  Ethnicity  Number directly recruited from outside the civil service 
			 PB1 Ethnic Minority 0 
			  White 0 
			  Unknown/Undeclared 0 
			
			 PB2 Ethnic Minority 0 
			  White 3 
			  Unknown/Undeclared 11 
			
			 PB3 Ethnic Minority 7 
			  White 4 
			  Unknown/Undeclared 2 
			
			 PB4 Ethnic Minority 4 
			  White 47 
			  Unknown/Undeclared 26 
			
			 PB5 Ethnic Minority 1 
			  White 11 
			  Unknown/Undeclared 4 
			
			 PB6 Ethnic Minority 2 
			  White 22 
			  Unknown/Undeclared 16 
			
			 PB7 Ethnic Minority 1 
			  White 5 
			  Unknown/Undeclared 0 
			
			 SCSPB1 Ethnic Minority 0 
			  White 3 
			  Unknown/Undeclared 1 
			
			 SCSPB2 Ethnic Minority 0 
			  White 4 
			  Unknown/Undeclared 1 
			
			 SCSPB3 Ethnic Minority 0 
			  White 0 
			  Unknown/Undeclared 0 
			
			 Total Ethnic Minority 15 
			  White 99 
			  Unknown/Undeclared 61

Departmental Reviews

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what  (a) reviews,  (b) consultation and  (c) taskforces his Department is (i) responsible for and (ii) planning to undertake or establish; on what date each such initiative that is in progress (A) started and (B) is expected to be completed; and what the purpose is of each.

Geoff Hoon: Details of the Department for Transport's current consultations, reviews and taskforces have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Departmental Telephone Services

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many telephone numbers for which callers are charged at the rate applicable to 0845 numbers are used by  (a) his Department and  (b) its executive agencies for public access to services.

Geoff Hoon: The Department for Transport has one 0845 number, the Executive Agencies have three.

Driving: Bexley

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many residents of  (a) Bexleyheath and Crayford constituency and  (b) the London Borough of Bexley had driving licences suspended in each of the last three years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency does not readily hold this information in the requested format.

Driving: Bexley

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many new  (a) provisional and  (b) full driving licences were issued to residents of (i) Bexleyheath and Crayford constituency and (ii) the London Borough of Bexley in each of the last three years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency does not readily hold this information in the requested format.

First Great Western: Manpower

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals there are to change staffing levels at stations operated by First Great Western on the line from London to Swindon and Bristol Parkway; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Clark: The Secretary of State has not been informed of any proposals to change staffing levels at stations operated by First Great Western between London and Bristol Parkway.

Gatwick Airport

Julian Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the 1979 agreement between BAA and West Sussex County Council would continue to bind any new owner of Gatwick Airport and prevent them from building a new runway before 2019.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Government take the view that the 1979 agreement binds British Aviation Authority (BAA) and would bind any new owner of the airport. If any new owner of the airport wished to overturn the agreement, the first step for it would be to approach West Sussex county council and seek their agreement. In the absence of agreement, it would be possible for the new owner to ask the Lands Tribunal to overturn the agreement.

Gatwick Airport

Julian Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has taken part in discussions with BAA on proposals to build a second runway at Gatwick Airport once the Gatwick Agreement runs out in 2019.

Jim Fitzpatrick: No such discussions have taken place.

Heathrow Airport

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people attended the air quality technical meeting on 28 September 2007 regarding the project for the Sustainable Development of Heathrow; which organisations those individuals were representing; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The air quality technical group, which met for the last time on 28 September 2007, comprised representatives from consultants CERC, AEA Technology and Atkins along with representatives from British Aviation Authority (BAA) and officials from the Department for Transport.

Helicopters: Greater London

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many private helicopter movements there were in the air space above Greater London in each year since 1997.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Department for Transport does not hold such information on private helicopter movements. However in response to the London Assembly Environment Committee's report'London in a Spin; a Review of Helicopter Noise' in October 2006, the Department agreed with the Civil Aviation Authority that NATS would provide data on helicopter movements over London. This information is now published at regular intervals on the CAA website at the following link:
	www.caa.co.uk.
	The tables published by CAA show data for helicopter movements within the London (Heathrow) and London City control zones (CTRs) from January 2007 to date.
	As regards information prior to January 2007, the London Assembly report included a year-by-year total for the period 1997 to 2006 for commercial and non-commercial helicopter movements at Metro London Heliport at Battersea.

Humber Bridge: Tolls

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the findings of the Humber Bridge Tolls Impact Assessment; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Clark: The study will be included in the evidence presented to the Inspector as part of the public inquiry on the application by the Humber Bridge Board to revise tolls at the Humber bridge. In these circumstances it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the study and its findings.

Humber Bridge: Tolls

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the public inquiry into the proposed increase in the cost of the Humber Bridge Tolls to be held; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Clark: The Humber Bridge Board will shortly issue a public notice giving the date and location for the public inquiry.

Mental Illness

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the recommendations relevant to his Department's policy responsibilities made in the Foresight report on Mental Capacity and Well-Being; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Clark: We are pleased to see the report of this project. While it makes no specific recommendations relating to the Department for Transport's policy responsibilities, we will work with the lead Departments and others as necessary to help give effect to the recommendations. The findings will inform and assist the Department in developing policies to meet the travel needs of particular groups such as older or disabled people.

Motor Vehicles: Insurance

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the accuracy of information held on the Motor Insurance Database.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The provision of data to the Motor Insurance Database is the responsibility of the insurance industry. The Department for Transport data submission requirements for the insurance industry are for 95 per cent. of new records to be on the database within seven days. The industry estimates that nearly 99 per cent. of all appropriate records are now placed on the database within seven days.

Offenders

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many former prisoners are employed by his Department; and what his Department's policy is on employing former prisoners.

Geoff Hoon: The Department for Transport Centre and its agencies do not maintain a record of the number of former prisoners that are employed.
	Recruitment to the Department for Transport follows the requirements of the Civil Service Management Code. There are character checks and security vetting, and a criminal record does not automatically disqualify an individual from appointment or vetting clearance.

Parking: Fines

Robert Goodwill: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his most recent estimate is of the number of outstanding parking adjudication cases in London; and what the equivalent figures were  (a) 12 and  (b) 24 months previously.

Paul Clark: The Government do not hold this information. The Parking and Traffic Adjudication Service (PATAS) is responsible for making adjudication decisions in London. London councils provides the administrative and hearing centre service for PATAS.

Railway Stations: South West

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans his Department has to  (a) reopen closed rail stations and  (b) open new rail stations in the South West; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Clark: The Department for Transport has no plans to reopen closed stations or open new stations in the South West. It is for local transport authorities to promote the opening of new stations if they believe this is the best way of meeting local transport needs.

Railways: Construction

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration his Department has given to the introduction of Maglev technology in the British rail network.

Paul Clark: The July 2007 Rail White Paper, Delivering a Sustainable Railway, set out the Government's strategy to improve the quality of inter-urban rail services, and to make the best use of existing networks by lengthening existing trains, increasing service frequencies and tackling key congestion pinch points.
	The White Paper proposals are measured against the key tests of capacity, quality of service, value for money and environment. Increasing capacity is key, particularly in those services experiencing crowding.
	The White Paper was clear that Maglev would offer less flexibility than a conventional railway to adapt to future changing patterns of demand. For example, it would be unable to accommodate other rail services. While Maglev currently operates on a relatively short point-to-point basis, scaling the technology up to a national network is unproven.

Railways: Construction

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to promote high speed rail links to the North East.

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what recent discussions his Department has had with rail operators in  (a) the UK and  (b) other European countries to discuss the potential for high speed rail in the UK;
	(2)  what steps his Department is taking to promote and implement a trans-European high speed rail network;
	(3)  what assessment his Department has made of the potential economic effects of a north-south high speed rail line in the UK.

Paul Clark: The Government's immediate priority is increasing capacity on the existing rail network and 10 billion will be invested from 2009 to 2014 on measures to bring this about.
	In March 2008, the Secretary of State for Transport invited Network Rail to examine options for supporting further growth in the longer term, which might include new lines. The National Networks Strategy Group, chaired by Lord Adonis and outlined in the written ministerial statement laid by the Secretary of State on 29 October 2008, is available at:
	www.dft.gov.uk/press/speechesstatements/statements/wmsnationalnetworks
	will build on Network Rail's work as part of the group's focus on longer term solutions for strategic transport corridors.

Railways: Electrification

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration has been given by his Department to the electrification of the Barking to Gospel Oak London overground railway line; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Clark: A rail industry working group led by Network Rail is examining the business case for electrifying a range of routes such as Gospel Oak to Barking. The group is expected to publish its conclusions by the end of March 2009.

Railways: Freight

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans his Department has to improve rail freight facilities in Nottinghamshire.

Paul Clark: We are investing in developing a Strategic Freight Network to meet the industry's growth forecasts of 30 per cent. over the next decade, as set out in the 2007 Rail White Paper. Network Rail is leading an industry working group to identify specific enhancement projects and will publish details in their Strategic Business Plan in March 2009.

Railways: Greater London

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reason the planned work to upgrade the Barking to Gospel Oak railway line has been delayed until 2013-14.

Paul Clark: This project has not been delayed to 2013-14.
	The Government have provided a grant of 18.5 million from the Productivity Transport Innovation Fund and asked Network Rail to deliver capability and capacity improvements on the Barking to Gospel Oak line.

Railways: Lancashire

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will invite the British Rail Residual Property Board to sell for a notional sum to Lancashire County Council the rail track bed between Colne and Foulridge; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Clark: It is for Lancashire county council and BRB (Residuary) Ltd. to reach an agreement on the commercial terms for the sale of the track bed between Colne and Foulridge to the council. Terms were quoted by BRB (Residuary) Ltd.'s agent, Lambert Smith Hampton, on 31 July 2008 and the county have six months from that date to reach an agreement. I urge the council to enter into negotiations with BRB (Residuary) Ltd.'s agents for the acquisition of the land.

Railways: Marketing

Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department spent on publicity for rail services in each year since 1997.

Geoff Hoon: Figures are only available since the Department for Transport (DFT) was formed in 2002-03.
	Up until 2006, responsibility for publicity on rail services rested with the Strategic Rail Authority who spent the following on advertising:
	
		
			   000 
			 2002-03 95 
			 2003-04 505 
			 2004-05 25 
		
	
	Aside from statutory advertising, we have not incurred advertising expenditure promoting rail services since the amalgamation of the SRA into DFT.

Railways: Standards

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that Network Rail meets its targets for renewal efficiency.

Paul Clark: It falls to the independent Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) to determine and monitor delivery of the targets to improve Network Rail's renewals efficiency, which the ORR sets for each five-year control period.

Railways: Standards

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what targets he has set for passenger satisfaction on each rail franchise; and how train operating companies performed against these targets in  (a) 2006-07 and  (b) 2007-08.

Paul Clark: All train operating companies are required through their franchise agreements to participate in the National Passenger Survey which measures passenger satisfaction. Passenger Focus publish the results on their website:
	http://www.passengerfocus.org.uk/research/nps/content.asp.
	National Passenger Survey targets are set for the following franchises: Arriva Trains Wales; Chiltern Railways; Southern and TransPennine Express. These train operating companies are required to produce and implement action plans related to their National Passenger Survey results as required. The National Passenger Survey targets are found in the franchise agreements for each of these train operating companies, available on the DfT website:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/passenger/publicregister/current.
	National Passenger Survey targets are not set for other train operating companies. Other train operating companies (except for c2c) measure the inputs to passenger satisfaction in a service quality management system. They may still be required to produce and implement action plans related to their National Passenger Survey results as required.
	c2c have targets, and are required to produce action plans as required, based on their own Customer Satisfaction Survey (not National Passenger Survey). The targets are in the c2c franchise agreement which is available on the DfT website:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/passenger/publicregister/current
	Performance against the targets is shown in the following tables.
	
		
			  c2c CSS results 
			   2006  2007 
			   Januar y  April  July  Octobe r  January  April  July  October 
			  CSS factors corresponding with NPS Top 12 Factors 
			 Punctuality 94 96 96 97 93 96 97 97 
			 Benchmark to 04/00punctuality 
			 Benchmark from 04/00punctuality 
			 Benchmark from 04/03punctuality 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 
			  
			 Cancellations 86 90 89 90 85 87 92 90 
			 Benchmark to 04/00cancellations 
			 Benchmark from 04/00cancellations 
			 Benchmark from 04/03cancellations 81 81 81 81 81 81 81 81 
			  
			 Overall value for money 84 87 89 89 84 87 88 89 
			 Benchmark to 04/00value for money 
			 Benchmark from 04/00value for money 
			 Benchmark from 04/03value for money 85 85 85 85 85 85 85 85 
			  
			 Availability of information 78 81 84 81 79 75 86 81 
			 Benchmark to 04/00availability of information 
			 Benchmark from 04/00availability of information 
			 Benchmark from 04/03availability of information 78 78 78 78 78 78 78 78 
			 Seat availability (peak) 76 82 89 78 79 79 82 77 
			 Benchmark to 04/00seat availability 
			 Benchmark from 04/00seat availability 
			 Benchmark from 04/03seat availability 78 78 78 78 78 78 78 78 
			  
			 Condition of stations 88 89 91 91 90 91 92 91 
			 Benchmark to 04/00condition of stations 
			 Benchmark from 04/00condition of stations 
			 Benchmark from 04/03condition of stations 91 91 91 91 91 91 91 91 
			  
			  CSS factors corresponding with NPS on train factors 
			 Interior cleanliness 93 96 95 95 95 94 95 94 
			 Benchmark to 04/00interior cleanliness 
			 Benchmark from 04/00interior cleanliness 
			 Benchmark from 04/03interior cleanliness 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 
			  
			 Exterior cleanliness 95 96 96 97 96 97 97 96 
			 Benchmark to 04/00exterior cleanliness 
			 Benchmark from 04/00exterior cleanliness 
			 Benchmark from 04/03exterior cleanliness 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 
			  
			  Other CSS factors/factors corresponding with both NPS station  on train factors 
			 Helpfulness of staff 91 91 94 92 95 93 93 93 
			 Benchmark to 04/00helpfulness of staff 
			 Benchmark from 04/00helpfulness of staff 
			 Benchmark from 04/03helpfulness of staff 92 92 92 92 92 92 92 92 
			  
			 Quality of service improving 68 76 76 77 68 72 75 74 
			 Benchmark to 04/00quality of service improving 
			 Benchmark from 04/00quality of service improving 
			 Benchmark from 04/03quality of service improving 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 
			  
			 Meeting customer needs 79 82 82 84 82 83 85 85 
			 Benchmark to 04/00meeting customer needs 
			 Benchmark from 04/00meeting customer needs 
			 Benchmark from 04/03meeting customer needs 85 85 85 85 85 85 85 85 
		
	
	
		
			   2008
			   January  April  July  Benchmark  Better = + Worse = -  Year on year 
			  CSS factors corresponding with NPS Top 12 Factors   
			 Punctuality 96 96 98 90 + + 
			 Benchmark to 04/00punctuality   
			 Benchmark from 04/00punctuality   
			 Benchmark from 04/03punctuality 90 90 90
			
			 Cancellations 88 88 89 81 + - 
			 Benchmark to 04/00cancellations   
			 Benchmark from 04/00cancellations   
			 Benchmark from 04/03cancellations 81 81 81
			
			 Overall value for money 86 86 89 85 + + 
			 Benchmark to 04/00value for money   
			 Benchmark from 04/00value for money   
			 Benchmark from 04/03value for money 85 85 85
			
			 Availability of information 78 78 86 78 + = 
			 Benchmark to 04/00availability of information   
			 Benchmark from 04/00availability of information   
			 Benchmark from 04/03availability of information 78 78 78
			
			 Seat availability (peak) 74 74 82 78 + = 
			 Benchmark to 04/00seat availability   
			 Benchmark from 04/00seat availability   
			 Benchmark from 04/03seat availability 78 78 78
			
			 Condition of stations 90 90 91 91 = - 
			 Benchmark to 04/00condition of stations   
			 Benchmark from 04/00condition of stations   
			 Benchmark from 04/03condition of stations 91 91 91
			
			 CSS factors corresponding with NPS on train factors   
			 Interior cleanliness 95 95 97 90 + + 
			 Benchmark to 04/00interior cleanliness   
			 Benchmark from 04/00interior cleanliness   
			 Benchmark from 04/03interior cleanliness 90 90 90
			
			 Exterior cleanliness 97 97 97 90 + = 
			 Benchmark to 04/00exterior cleanliness   
			 Benchmark from 04/00exterior cleanliness   
			 Benchmark from 04/03exterior cleanliness 90 90 90
			
			 Other CSS factors/factors corresponding with both NPS station  on train factors   
			 Helpfulness of staff 92 92 93 92 + = 
			 Benchmark to 04/00helpfulness of staff   
			 Benchmark from 04/00helpfulness of staff   
			 Benchmark from 04/03helpfulness of staff 92 92 92
			
			 Quality of service improving 73 73 73 70 + - 
			 Benchmark to 04/00quality of service improving   
			 Benchmark from 04/00quality of service improving   
			 Benchmark from 04/03quality of service improving 70 70 70
			
			 Meeting customer needs 83 83 84 85 - - 
			 Benchmark to 04/00meeting customer needs   
			 Benchmark from 04/00meeting customer needs   
			 Benchmark from 04/03meeting customer needs 85 85 85

Railways: Standards

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent estimate he has made of trends in the possession disruption indices for  (a) passenger and  (b) rail freight services over the next five years.

Paul Clark: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has made no estimate of trends in the possession disruption indices for passenger and rail freight services over the next five years.
	However, the independent Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has set performance trajectories for Network Rail in its document, published on 30 October 2008, Periodic review 2008: Determination of Network Rail's outputs and funding for 2009-14. The effect is to require a progressive reduction in disruption to passengers so that by the end of Control Period 4 (2014) there is 37 per cent. less disruption to passengers than in 2007-08, and, at the same time, no increase in the level of disruption experienced by freight operators. Further details can be found on page 53 onwards of the document which is available on the ORR's website at:
	http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/383.pdf.

Railways: Standards

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the loss to the economy caused by delays to rail services in the first six months of the 2008-09 financial year.

Paul Clark: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not estimated the economic cost of rail service delays in the first six months of the 2008-09 financial year.
	However, at the end of the first six periods of 2008-09 the industry's annual reliability and punctuality performance measured by the public performance measure (PPM) had reached 90.4 per cent. in England and Wales, a 1.8 per cent. improvement on the previous year. The Government's high level output specification requires the industry to achieve public performance measure of 92.6 per cent. by 2014.

Railways: Standards

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring forward proposals to introduce the Swiss model of re-railing.

Paul Clark: The Department for Transport does not manage the detailed approach to track maintenance including re-railing.
	This is an operational matter for Network Rail as the owner and operator of the national rail network. The hon. Member should contact Network Rail's chief executive at the following address for a response to his questions:
	Iain Coucher
	Chief Executive
	Network Rail
	Kings Place
	90 York Way
	London
	N1 9AG.

Roads: Accidents

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to the answer of 17 November 2008,  Official Report, column 38W, on roads: accidents, how many and what proportion of  (a) men and  (b) women between 15 and 24 years old were killed in a road traffic accident in each local authority area in England in each of the last 10 years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Tables showing the numbers and proportion of  (a) men and  (b) women between 15 and 24-years-old that were killed in a reported personal injury road traffic accident in each local authority area in England in each of the last 10 years have been deposited in the Libraries of the House.

Rolling Stock

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many modern operable train units are currently in storage.

Paul Clark: This is a question which should be directed at the train leasing companies who are the owners of rolling stock vehicles. However, it is our belief that the number of modern operable units off lease is very small.

Rolling Stock

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many new carriages each train operating company has requested following his Department's announcement in January 2008 of its intention to increase rolling stock by 1,300 units.

Paul Clark: The Department for Transport published a Rolling Stock Plan in January 2008, and issued an update in July 2008, setting out indicative numbers of vehicles to be allocated to each train operating company. These numbers are subject to change in negotiation with each company, but changes to numbers will not be announced unless and until commercial agreement is reached with each company. Discussions are now in progress with the train operating companies.

Shipping: Sea Rescue

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many tugs are on standby in UK ports to assist vessels in distress around the coast.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has four dedicated emergency towing vessels on stand-by all year round to respond to shipping incidents. These are based in the Northern Isles, the Minches, the south-west approaches and the Dover Straits.
	In addition to these dedicated resources the MCA can use the Coastguard Agreement on Salvage and Towage (CAST) to call upon the services of 92 tugs in ports and harbours throughout the UK.

Sight Impaired

Tom Levitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidelines his Department follows in respect of making printed materials and forms accessible to people suffering red/green colour blindness.

Geoff Hoon: The general publishing policy guidance for the Department for Transport staff producing printed material for people with visual disorders highlight the need to avoid light typefaces, use of 14 pt type and maximising contrast of colours as much as possible.
	Specific guidance related to red/green colour blindness include using where possible;
	dark colours on light background;
	increased contrast between colours and type;
	use of stripes, hatching etc in place of colours;
	avoidance of red/green adjacent to each other.

South West Trains: Railway Stations

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will reject the proposals of South West Trains to reduce opening hours at over 100 of its stations.

Paul Clark: A formal application to review ticket office hours has been received from South West Trains and will be subject to consideration by the Secretary of State under normal industry processes.

Speed Limits: Cameras

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which elected representatives  (a) scrutinise the actions of safety camera partnerships and  (b) determine their (i) policies and (ii) expenditure.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Local safety partnerships, including safety camera partnerships, generally include representatives of local authorities and the police, both of whom are accountable to locally elected representatives. They may employ whatever arrangements for scrutiny and management that they see fit.

Tolls: Greater Manchester

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate his Department has made of the cost to the public purse of exploring the option of a Manchester congestion charge.

Paul Clark: From 2005-06 to 2007-08 10 areas shared 18 million funding to consider options for the Transport Innovation Fund and to develop proposals, of which the Greater Manchester authorities were awarded 4.7 million. In addition, in awarding Programme Entry to the Greater Manchester proposals on 9 June 2008 we made available an additional 20 million for 2008-09 to support further development costs.

Tonnage Tax

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider strengthening the training requirement associated with the tonnage tax.

Jim Fitzpatrick: We have currently no plans to increase the number of officers companies are required to train under the tonnage tax commitment.
	We are however looking into the practicalities of the joint proposals for increased support for training and employment received from our social partners.

Transport: North East

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps the Government plans to take to alleviate congestion on  (a) roads and  (b) railways in the North East.

Paul Clark: We are investing significantly across the North East to improve transport and alleviate congestion. Total expenditure on transport in the North East has increased by 30 per cent. in the five years to 2007-08from 481 million in 2002-03 to 623 million in 2007-08.
	On the roads, local authorities take decisions on local measures and investment needed to alleviate congestion on their roads. In addition to this, North East schemes in the current regional funding allocation being progressed by the Highways Agency include the A69 Haydon bridge bypass, which is in construction and improvements to four A19 junctions through Tyneside. The Highways Agency is also looking at options for addressing congestion problems on the A1 Newcastle Gateshead and Western bypass, but any scheme is likely to be complex and take time to deliver, and must be developed in parallel with the Tyne and Wear authorities' proposals for addressing local traffic problems. In addition we expect, subject to satisfactory business cases, to invest over 70 million over the next five years in major bus priority infrastructure schemes in Tyne and Wear, Tees Valley and Durham. These are aimed at attracting more people to public transport by improving the journey time and reliability of buses.
	On rail, the Rail White Paper committed to introducing additional rail capacity to meet peak demand in the Northern cities, including Newcastle. The DfT Rolling Stock Plan published in January 2008 showed that around 42 additional carriages would be available for TransPennine Express and around 182 additional carriages for the Northern franchise. Both these franchises serve the North East. We will also be investing over 290 million on the renewal of the Tyne and Wear Metro system between 2010 and 2019.

West Coast Railway Line

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with Virgin Trains on passenger capacity on their West Coast Main Line services; what  (a) legislative provisions and  (b) guidance issued by his Department govern the number of persons who may be accommodated in one unit of passenger rolling stock, with particular reference to health and safety requirements; what sanctions apply to train operating companies which operate services on which such limits are exceeded; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Clark: The Secretary of State met with Sir Richard Branson (Virgin Trains) and Mr. Brian Souter (Stagecoach) on 19 November to discuss the upgrade of the West Coast Main Line. This upgrade of the infrastructure has allowed the new timetable, which started on 14 December 2008, to increase capacity on many of the West Coast Main Line services, most notably a 50 per cent. increase of services between London and Birmingham/Manchester and a 70 per cent. increase for these services on the weekends.
	There are no legislative provisions regarding crowding on trains. The Office of the Rail Regulator states that there is no legal limit on the number of passengers that can travel in any given train coach. In this, trains differ from other modes of transportmost notably buses and aeroplanes. The heavy engineering involved means that trains are designed to operate effectively and safely even when they are fully loaded to maximum capacity. The number of passengers on board does not affect a train's operating performance or structural integrity.
	Some train operators have a capacity benchmark regime. This does not apply to Virgin Trains.

West Coast Railway Line: Repairs and Maintenance

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department has taken to ensure that there is minimal disruption over the Christmas period from improvements works to the West Coast Main Line.

Paul Clark: The Department for Transport has had regular meetings with both Network Rail and the train operators as they have made their preparations for the introduction of the new West Coast Main Line timetables. This preparation included a special commissioning timetable which covers the Christmas period.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Arts Council of England: Finance

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much grant in aid Arts Council England received in each year since 1980.

Barbara Follett: Arts Council England has received the following grant in aid funding since their creation in 1994.
	
		
			  Arts Council grant in aid funding 
			   Outturn ( million) 
			 1994-95 189 
			 1995-96 194 
			 1996-97 179 
			 1997-98 179 
			 1998-99 180 
			 1999-2000 213 
			 2000-01 238 
			 2001-02 252 
			 2002-03 290 
			 2003-04 326 
			 2004-05 370 
			 2005-06 409 
			 2006-07 428 
			 2007-08 423 
			  Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest  million.

Arts Council of England: Finance

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much National Lottery funding Arts Council England has distributed for use on  (a) capital projects and  (b) non-capital projects in each year since its inception.

Barbara Follett: Information from Arts Council England is that it has distributed national lottery funding for use on  (a) capital projects and  (b) non-capital projects as set out in the following table.
	
		
			   
			  Decision year  Capital programmes  Mixed and revenue programmes  Total 
			 1994-95 849,149  849,149 
			 1995-96 316,945,383 7,928,949 324,874,332 
			 1996-97 362,649,941 39,874,827 402,524,768 
			 1997-98 209,358,733 88,645,785 298,004,518 
			 1998-99 48,324,119 61,853,853 110,177,972 
			 1999-2000 121,884,596 95,989,522 217,874,118 
			 2000-01 45,008,302 84,745,783 129,754,085 
			 2001-02 140,531,073 92,360,495 232,891,568 
			 2002-03 12,987,225 110,227,080 123,214,305 
			 2003-04 129,319,847 68,312,427 197,632,274 
			 2004-05 34,319,085 85,664,780 119,983,865 
			 2005-06 5,543,874 87,153,283 92,697,157 
			 2006-07  97,724,825 97,724,825 
			 2007-08  46,722,005 46,722,005 
			 Total 1,427,721,327 967,203,614 2,394,924,941

Arts Council of England: Mass Media

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which  (a) keywords and  (b) terms (i) Arts Council England, (ii) the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, (iii) the Big Lottery Fund, (iv) English Heritage and (v) the Heritage Lottery Fund have monitored in the media in each of the last three years.

Barbara Follett: The information has been supplied by the organisations requested and is set out in a sequence of lists with details per organisation.
	 Arts Council England
	Arts Council England has reported that it does not have records of terms that were used over the last three years, as terms are added and removed on an ongoing basis. The list as of 1 January 2009 is set out as follows. The list also contains a number of Regularly Funded Organisations, which is updated depending on levels of media interest and coverage:
	Arts Council England
	ACE
	Tessa Jowell
	ArtsGovernment policy
	Artsmark
	Big Lottery Fund
	Creative Partnerships
	Heritage Lottery
	Own Art
	UK Film Council
	The National Lottery
	Comprehensive Spending Review
	Cultural Leadership Programme
	Young People's Arts Award
	London Architecture Biennale
	Liverpool Capital of Culture
	Take it Away
	Arts Debate
	Architecture Week
	Arts Award
	James Purnell (only reports on former role as Secretary of State for DCMS)
	Andy Burnham
	Margaret Hodge
	Open Doors
	London 2012
	DCMS
	Department of Culture, Media and Sport
	Well London
	Art08
	Theatre
	Living Places
	Legacy Trust
	Big Dance
	Fourth Plinth
	 The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA)
	The MLA has reported that it does not have records of the key words used for 2006 and 2007, but the list as at 1 January 2009 is as follows:
	MLA
	Museums, Libraries and Archives Council
	Acceptance In Lieu Scheme
	Roy Clare
	Margaret Hodge
	Andy Burnham
	Better stock, Better libraries
	BSBL
	Framework for the Future
	Love Libraries
	Mark Wood
	Museumsdesignated status
	Obituaries
	People's network
	Portable antiquities
	Renaissance in the regions
	Archivesnationals
	Archives
	Librariesnationals
	Libraries
	Museumsnationals
	Museums
	Conservation art
	Conservation Awards
	Department for Culture, the Media and Sport
	Exports of works of art
	Political policy-culture and the arts
	Public Record Office
	Cultural Olympiadnationals
	Cultural Olympiad
	Museum Accreditation Scheme
	Museum Designation Scheme
	Arts funding
	Art sales
	 The Big Lottery Fund
	The Big Lottery Fund has reported key words for each of the three years. They are set out in the lists:
	 2006
	Active England
	Advice Services
	Awards for All
	BASIS
	Big Lottery Fund
	Change UR Future
	Changing Spaces
	Children's Play
	Community Buildings Community Libraries
	Community Fund
	Do It 4 Real
	Fair Share
	Family Learning
	Green Spaces and Sustainable Communities
	Growing Community Assets
	Heroes Return
	International Grants
	Investing in Communities
	Living Landmarks
	Millennium Commission
	National Lottery Good Cause Distributors
	New Opportunities Fund
	Parks for People
	People's Millions
	Reaching Communities Research Grants
	The Big Lottery Fund
	Their Past Your Future
	Transforming Waste
	Transforming your Space
	Veterans Reunited
	Well-being
	Young People's Fund
	 2007
	Active England
	Activities for Young People
	Advice Plus
	All Coverage of Lottery Money Being Used to Fund the 2012 London Olympics
	Awards for All
	BASIS
	Big Lottery Fund
	Big Lottery Fund (Nationals)
	Breathing Places
	Cancer Equipment
	Cardiac Rehabilitation
	Change UR Future
	Changing Spaces
	Children's Play Initiative
	Children's Play Programme
	Community Buildings
	Community Fund
	Community Libraries
	Defibrillators
	Do It 4 Real
	Fair Share
	Family Learning
	Five A Day
	Green Spaces and Sustainable Communities
	Growing Community Assets
	Healthy Living Centres
	Heroes Return
	Home Front Recall
	Improving Community Buildings
	International Grants
	Investing in Communities
	Live and Learn
	Living Landmarks Millennium Awards
	Millennium Commission
	Millennium Projects
	Millennium Trust
	National Lottery
	National Lottery Good Cause Distributors
	New Opportunities for PE and Sport
	New Opportunities Fund
	NOFdigitise
	NOF Digitisation Programme
	Olympics (only in connection with BIG)
	Olympics (in relation to National Lottery Good Causes)
	Parks for People
	People's Millions
	Play England Project
	Playful Ideas
	Primetime
	Reaching Communities
	Research Grants
	Safe and Well
	School Sports Co-ordinators
	The Big Lottery Fund
	The Dome
	The People's Network
	Their Past Your Future
	Transforming Waste
	Transforming your Space
	UK Online Centres
	Veterans Reunited
	War Veterans
	Well-being
	Young People's Fund
	Your pound your choice
	 2008
	Active England
	Activities for Young People
	Advice Plus
	All Coverage of Lottery Money Being Used to Fund the 2012 London Olympics
	Awards for All
	BASIS
	BASIS 2
	BIG Lottery Fund
	Big Lottery Fund (Nationals)
	Breathing Places
	Building Research Establishment
	Change UR Future
	Changing Spaces
	Children's Play Initiative
	Children's Play Programme
	Community Assets
	Community Buildings
	Community Fund
	Community Libraries
	Community Recycling and Economic Development
	Fair Share
	Family Learning
	Green Spaces and Sustainable Communities
	Groundwork UK
	Growing Community Assets
	Healthy Living Centres
	Heroes Return
	Home Front Recall
	Improving Community Buildings
	International Grants
	Investing in Communities
	Legacy Trust
	Live and Learn
	Living Landmarks
	Millennium Awards
	Millennium Commission
	Millennium Projects
	Millennium Trust
	MIND
	myplace
	National Lottery
	National Lottery Good Cause Distributors
	Natural England
	New Opportunities for PE and Sport
	New Opportunities Fund
	NOPES
	Olympics (in relation to National Lottery Good Causes)
	Olympics (only in connection with BIG)
	Parks for People
	People's Millions
	People's 50 Million Contest
	People's 50 Million Lottery Giveaway
	Playful Ideas
	Primetime
	Reaching Communities
	Research Grants
	RSWT
	Safe and Well
	School Sports Co-ordinators
	Sustrans
	The Big Lottery Fund
	Their Past Your Future
	Transforming Waste
	Transforming your Space
	UK School Games
	Veterans Reunited
	War Veterans
	Well-being
	www.thepeoples50million.org.uk
	Young People's Fund
	 English Heritage
	English Heritage has reported that a single list of key words was used during the last three years. It is set out in the list:
	Archaeology
	Architecture
	Blue Plaques
	Buildings
	Builds At Risk
	Cabe
	Cathedrals/Churches
	Chiswick House and Gardens Trust
	Conservation Areas
	Cutty Sark
	Development (of Old Buildings)
	English Heritage
	Farm Buildings
	Hadrian's Wall
	Heritage Counts
	Heritage Lottery Fund
	Kenilworth Castle
	Kenwood
	Listed Buildings
	Lord Sandy Bruce Lockhart
	National Trust
	Osborne House
	Planning
	Regeneration
	Simon Thurley
	Stonehenge
	World Heritage Sites
	English Heritage has also reported that it monitors the names of relevant Ministers and the list is updated as appropriate. Monitored names from 2006 to 1 January 2009 are listed as follows.
	Andy Burnham
	Caroline Flint
	Hazel Blears
	Margaret Hodge
	Tessa Jowell
	James Purnell
	Hillary Benn
	Ruth Kelly
	Barbara Follett
	 Heritage Lottery Fund
	Heritage Lottery Fund has reported key words used in each of the last three years. They are set out as follows.
	 2006
	Heritage Lottery Fund
	National Heritage Memorial Fund
	 2007
	Heritage Lottery Fund
	National Heritage Memorial Fund
	 2008
	Heritage Lottery Fund National
	Heritage Memorial Fund
	Portrait of a Nation

Betting Shops

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans his Department has to give local authorities powers in relation to the siting of betting shops.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answer 18 December 2008
	Following public concern about the clustering of betting shops in certain areas and the potential risks this might pose for vulnerable people, the Government outlined plans for DCMS to look into the scope and extent of this issue in Fair Rules for Strong Communities which was published on 2 December 2008. DCMS will work with DCLG to investigate the issues and ensure that the licensing and planning systems are thoroughly examined.
	Under the Gambling Act 2005, licensing authorities have the power to reject premises licence applications or to attach conditions to licences to reflect local circumstances. They can also review licences to ensure that premises are adhering to their licence conditions and other provisions of the Act, including the three licensing objectives. In addition, betting shops require relevant planning permission from their local authority.

Big Lottery Fund: Recruitment

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much the Big Lottery Fund has spent on recruitment agency services in each year since its inception; and which companies provided these services.

Barbara Follett: The Big Lottery Fund has advised that the following table sets out their expenditure on the services of recruitment agencies. It does not include the costs of advertising on behalf of the Big Lottery Fund or the costs of temporary staff provided by agencies.
	
		
			  Financial year  Description   
			 2004-05  25,514.84 
			 2005-06 Includes jobs relocated from London to Newcastle as part of restructuring and new committee recruitment for initial merger of Community Fund and New Opportunities Fund 205,789.54 
			 2006-07 Includes jobs relocated from London to Birmingham, as part of restructuring 319,415.07 
			 2007-08 Includes chief executive recruitment as well as final phase of large recruitment campaign in Birmingham and new committee recruitment following legal merger, including country committees 366,538.85 
		
	
	All costs are UK-wide and for England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales recruitment reflecting the Big Lottery Fund's devolved funding arrangements. Figures are shown for the four financial years following inception on 1 June 2004.
	The Big Lottery Fund has used the services of the following recruitment agencies over this four-year periodBadenoch and Clark, Barbara Wren and Associates Ltd., Broadcasting Support Services, Brook Street (UK) Ltd., Bruce Murray Resources Ltd., Capita Business Services, Charity Action Recruitment, Charity People, Concilium Finance Ltd., Contract Connections Ltd., Covent Garden Bureau, Crystal UK Ltd., Eden Brown, Recruitment Ltd., Edward Selden, Evolution Recruitment Solution, Forrest Recruitment Ltd., Gray and Associates, Harvey Nash, Hay Group Management Ltd., Hays, Hr Staffsearch, Hudson Global Resources Ltd., Huntress Search Ltd., International Resources Group, Katie Bard, Kelly Services, Key Personnel, Law Absolute, Ludisa Recruitment Ltd., Lynda Jacobs Recruitment, Media Contracts, Media Recruitment London, Mediacontacts Recruitment, Michael Page International, Morgan Hunt Public Sector Ltd., Nicholas Andrews and Temps Fin, Nigel Lynn Associates, Now Recruitment Ltd., Office Angels Ltd., Opus Personnel Ltd., Permits2work Ltd., Pertemps Investments Ltd., Peter Lockyer Advertising, Positive Action in Housing, Positive Recruitment Solutions, Prospectus Ltd., PSD Group, Purcon Ltd., RBS Commercial-Coby, Reed Agency Services Ltd., Resolve, Robert Walters, Roc Recruitment Ltd., Royal Bank Invoice Finance and Saxton Bampfylde Hever plc., Search Total Recruitment, Select, Spring Personnel Ltd., Spring Technology Staffing, Stopgap Group, The Synergy Group, VMA Group Search and Selection and Zarak Group Ltd.

Departmental Air Travel

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many journeys  (a) he and his predecessors and  (b) his officials made by aeroplane in the course of their duties in each of the last five years.

Andy Burnham: This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Travel by Ministers and civil servants is undertaken in accordance with the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code respectively.

Departmental Data Protection

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of contractors and suppliers to  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies has reported compliance with the Government's security standards following publication of the report, Data Handling Procedures in Government, and the accompanying document, Cross-departmental Actions: Mandatory Minimum Action, on 25 June 2008.

Gerry Sutcliffe: My Department has adopted the OGC guidelines as set out in the Procurement Policy Note, Information note 13/0826 November 2008. All suppliers have been informed of the changes. We have not separately asked for confirmation of compliance.

Departmental Data Protection

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many contracts  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies have which allow contractors to store personal data of UK citizens overseas; for which contracts this applies; in which countries the data for each contract are held; and how many people have their data stored overseas in the case of each such contract.

Gerry Sutcliffe: My Department has no such contracts.

Departmental Data Protection

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when his Department appointed a senior information risk owner in accordance with the report, Data Handling Procedures in Government and the accompanying document Cross-departmental Actions: Mandatory Minimum Action; and what grade the person holds within the Department.

Gerry Sutcliffe: My Department is currently replacing its senior information risk owner following the departure of the previous incumbent who was Director-General level and who took over the role following the publication of the Data Handling report.

Departmental Data Protection

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of the IT systems in  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies is fully accredited to the Government's security standards.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answer 5 January 200 9
	All my Department's IT systems are fully and independently accredited.

Departmental Equality

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what information his Department holds on the  (a) sex,  (b) ethnicity,  (c) age,  (d) disability,  (e) sexual orientation and  (f) religion or belief of its staff; and what assessment he has made of his Department's performance against its targets relating to diversity in its workforce.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Department holds information on its Workforce database for all seven equality strands: gender, gender id, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation and religion and belief. As part of the Cross Government 10-point plan for gender, ethnicity and disability, all departments were set targets at Senior Civil Service level. As a Department we also track data across all other grades to check progress. At SCS level we met all of our targets for 2008. For the tracking grades, we made good progress on gender and ethnicity but fell short of our targets for disability. As part of the new Cross Government Strategy, Promoting Equality, Valuing Diversity we have again set challenging targets for the next three years which we will review regularly.

Departmental Furniture

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much was spent by his Department on furniture made by  (a) British firms,  (b) Remploy and  (c) overseas firms in each year since 2000.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Department spent the following amounts on furniture in each year since 2005. The Department does not have information prior to 2005.
	
		
			   
			   2005  2006  2007  2008 
			 British Firms 0 122,200 115,683 7,882 
			 Remploy 0 0 0 0 
			 Overseas Firms 9,035 236,389 216,243 47,733

Departmental ICT

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport with reference to the answer of 27 October 2008,  Official Report, columns 726-27W, on departmental ICT, what the  (a) expected completion date and  (b) estimated cost of each of the projects was at their outset.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport IT Programme that provides electronic document and record management, electronic content management and secure collaboration was originally expected to be completed by 31 March 2009 and was estimated to cost 1.5 million. The most recent estimate and completion date of each project in tranche 1 of the Royal Parks Agency ICT Change Programme is as follows:
	
		
			  Project name  Projected final cost ()  Completion date  Expected completion date at outset (ICT Programme Blueprint V2.0, January 2008)  Estimated cost at outset (Programme Definition, Option 4) ()  Additional risk allowance 
			 Quick Wins 11,903 Completed September 2008 End August 2008 42,300 +/- 10% 
			 Estates Licensing Upgrade 9,129 Completed August 2008 End December 2008 16,250 -50% to +100% 
			 Business Systems Governance 19,398 Completed July 2008 End December 2008 Included as part of overall programme management allowance of 361,438 0 
			 Training/Change Management 142,492 Completion March 2009 End December 2008 As above +/- 10% 
			 Upgrade Sports Booking system 23,766 Full upgrade deferred in July 2008, remainder now in tranche 2 End December 2008 30,000 +/- 50% 
			 ICT Service improvement 87,785 Completion October 2008 End December 2008 126,059 +/- 20% 
			 Desktop/laptop replacement 323,793 Completed September 2008 End December 2008 129,250 +/- 20% 
			 Remote Working 137,837 Completion April 2009 End December 2008 72,800 -10% to +20% 
			 LAN infrastructure upgrade 86,191 Completed September 2008 End December 2008 117,850 -20% to +25% 
			 Server infrastructure upgrade 268,022 Completed September 2008 End December 2008 Incl. with above  
			 Intranet/Collaboration tool 1,314 Deferred in July 2008, now in tranche 2 End December 2008 62,600 +/- 10% 
			 Telephony 53,358 Completion April 2009 End December 2008 34,650 +/- 15% 
			 Refresh Trim EDRMS 213,992 Completed September 2008 End December 2008 255,000 -25% to +10% 
			 Mobile Working 11,799 Deferred in July 2008, now in tranche 2 Not in scope at that time Not in scope at that time Not in scope at that time 
			  Note: The 'Projected final cost' shown for the intranet/collaboration and mobile working projects is the projected final cost of project spend within tranche 1 of the ICT programme. The full cost will be re-estimated as part of the tranche 2 works in 2009-10.

Departmental Marketing

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many complaints about advertisements sponsored or funded by his Department were made to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) in each year from 1997 to 2008; and how many of these were upheld by the ASA in each year.

Andy Burnham: No complaints about advertisements sponsored or funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport were made to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) in this period (1997 to 2008).

Departmental Official Hospitality

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what records his Department maintains of its expenditure on  (a) official hospitality and  (b) alcohol for official hospitality.

Barbara Follett: The Department records information on its expenditure on hospitality, including the associated staff costs, in such a way as it states the costs of official functions, internal working lunches and other hospitality separately.
	The Department's accounting system does not record information on alcohol separately, and this information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	All expenditure on official hospitality is made in accordance with published departmental guidance on gifts and hospitality, based on the principles of Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety.

Departmental Telephone Services

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many telephone numbers for which callers are charged at the rate applicable to 0845 numbers are used by  (a) his Department and  (b) its executive agencies for public access to services.

Andy Burnham: Neither the Department nor The Royal Parks use 0845 numbers.

Exercise

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many and what percentage of people aged 16 years and over  (a) from black and ethnic minority groups,  (b) with a limiting disability,  (c) from lower socio-economic groups,  (d) who were female and  (e) from the total population, (i) did and (ii) did not regularly engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity level sport on at least three days a week in each of the last three years, broken down by region; and what assessment he has made of his Department's progress towards its Public Service Agreement targets in this area.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answer 18 December 2008
	The 'Taking Part' survey is a continuous household survey providing national data on participation in culture, leisure and sport by adults aged 16 and over.
	Tables 1 to 4 show the number and percentage of adults who engaged in moderate intensity level sport for at least 30 minutes on at least three separate occasions during the past week. The data relate to the four sub-groups of the population referred to in the question, by region, for each of the last three years. Data are also provided for the total population in Table 5. The percentage of adults who did not participate can be deduced from the data given.
	Due to small sample sizes, differences between regions or years may not be statistically significant.
	
		
			  Table 1: Engagement in moderate intensity sport by adults from black and minority ethnic groups 
			   Black and minority ethnic 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			   Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand 
			 North East(1)   
			 North West 16 48 18 57 24 83 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 22 62 18 42 25 57 
			 East Midlands 24 58 19 48 23 54 
			 West Midlands 21 104 26 130 22 99 
			 East of England 25 56 14 28 26 70 
			 London 17 292 18 343 19 368 
			 South East 18 75 24 83 19 74 
			 South West 16 14 27 21 25 27 
			 England 19 724 20 759 21 841 
			 (1) The survey's sample of black and minority ethnic people in the North East is too small to provide robust data. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Engagement in moderate intensity sport by adults with a limiting disability 
			   Limiting disability 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			   Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand 
			 North East 10 51 9 46 9 43 
			 North West 7 95 8 114 10 132 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 10 86 11 99 8 77 
			 East Midlands 10 76 9 74 11 94 
			 West Midlands 8 80 9 83 9 85 
			 East of England 11 97 10 88 11 100 
			 London 9 87 8 77 7 56 
			 South East 12 139 9 100 12 148 
			 South West 9 79 12 104 9 72 
			 England 10 791 9 784 10 808 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 3: Engagement in moderate intensity sport by adults from lower socio-economic groups 
			   Lower socio-economic 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			   Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand 
			 North East 15 135 16 154 17 174 
			 North West 14 328 15 347 18 433 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 16 283 16 293 17 309 
			 East Midlands 15 217 15 221 17 256 
			 West Midlands 14 250 14 259 15 286 
			 East of England 18 280 17 273 14 228 
			 London 14 239 14 271 16 306 
			 South East 15 310 16 330 17 382 
			 South West 17 267 16 264 18 285 
			 England 15 2,309 15 2,412 16 2,657 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 4: Engagement in moderate intensity sport by women 
			   Women 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			   Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand 
			 North East 17 169 17 181 17 182 
			 North West 17 455 17 471 18 531 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 19 379 17 361 16 344 
			 East Midlands 17 279 18 295 18 345 
			 West Midlands 17 342 16 350 18 414 
			 East of England 20 434 21 450 19 420 
			 London 19 547 17 491 18 541 
			 South East 20 628 21 661 20 662 
			 South West 20 407 20 417 22 464 
			 England 18 3,639 18 3,678 19 3,902 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 5: Engagement in moderate intensity sport by all adults 
			   All adults 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			   Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand 
			 North East 21 400 23 449 21 434 
			 North West 19 970 20 1,072 24 1,300 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 21 810 22 883 22 909 
			 East Midlands 20 650 21 720 22 781 
			 West Midlands 20 800 20 833 21 880 
			 East of England 22 930 23 968 22 1,009 
			 London 21 1,200 20 1,152 22 1,325 
			 South East 21 1,320 22 1,396 23 1,493 
			 South West 23 880 24 956 25 1,030 
			 England 21 7,950 22 8,429 22 9,162 
		
	
	A final assessment of progress against the Department's SR04 PSA3 target was published on 11 December 2008. Full details can be found at:
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/publications/5653.aspx

Exercise

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many and what percentage of people aged 16 years and over  (a) from black and ethnic minority groups,  (b) with a limiting disability,  (c) from lower socio-economic groups,  (d) who were female and  (e) from the total population, (i) did and (ii) did not participate in at least one active sport every four weeks in each of the last three years, broken down by region; and what assessment he has made of his Department's progress towards its Public Service Agreement targets in this area.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answer 18 December 2008
	The 'Taking Part' survey is a continuous household survey providing national data on participation in culture, leisure and sport by adults aged 16 and over.
	Tables 1 to 4 show the number and percentage of adults who engaged in an active sport at least once in the past four weeks. The data relate to the four sub-groups of the population referred to in the question, by region, for each of the last three years. Data are also provided for the total population in Table 5. The percentage of adults who did not participate can be deduced from the data given.
	Due to small sample sizes, differences between regions or years may not be statistically significant.
	
		
			  Table 1: Engagement in active sport by adults from black and minority ethnic groups 
			   Black and minority ethnic 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			   Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand 
			 North East(1)   
			 North West 44 135 51 166 52 175 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 51 143 52 118 51 121 
			 East Midlands 63 156 57 144 53 130 
			 West Midlands 53 275 52 265 58 268 
			 East of England 60 138 59 115 65 176 
			 London 51 907 48 943 49 957 
			 South East 60 260 62 217 56 230 
			 South West 52 47 65 55 56 60 
			 England 53 2,086 52 2,044 53 2,150 
			 (1) The survey's sample of black and minority ethnic people in the North East is too small to provide robust data. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Engagement in active sport by adults with a limiting disability 
			   Limiting disability 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			   Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand 
			 North East 30 154 30 149 29 144 
			 North West 28 379 24 327 27 337 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 29 264 33 308 30 283 
			 East Midlands 35 276 35 285 33 283 
			 West Midlands 31 303 30 290 28 255 
			 East of England 34 304 34 304 35 330 
			 London 33 320 29 274 27 223 
			 South East 36 445 33 395 34 434 
			 South West 34 319 36 313 27 233 
			 England 32 2,764 31 2,646 30 2,523 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 3: Engagement in active sport by adults from lower socio-economic groups 
			   Lower socio-economic 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			   Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand 
			 North East 43 408 46 443 42 448 
			 North West 40 948 38 902 41 990 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 40 734 41 767 43 792 
			 East Midlands 46 700 44 654 47 734 
			 West Midlands 40 727 41 782 45 884 
			 East of England 48 778 46 781 42 711 
			 London 41 735 38 731 39 748 
			 South East 47 1,033 46 945 49 1,107 
			 South West 47 774 43 719 46 740 
			 England 43 6,839 42 6,723 44 7,153 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 4: Engagement in active sport by women 
			   Women 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			   Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand 
			 North East 43 448 45 483 43 472 
			 North West 44 1,229 42 1,170 44 1,284 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 44 934 45 959 42 901 
			 East Midlands 47 798 46 789 49 939 
			 West Midlands 45 941 43 955 44 1,006 
			 East of England 51 1,164 48 1,064 50 1,155 
			 London 52 1,536 46 1,374 42 1,300 
			 South East 51 1,707 52 1,711 51 1,753 
			 South West 48 1,038 46 977 47 1,011 
			 England 48 9,795 46 9,481 46 9,820 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 5: Engagement in active sport by all adults 
			   All adults 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			   Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand 
			 North East 52 1,030 54 1,093 50 1,061 
			 North West 50 2,640 49 2,606 52 2,909 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 50 2,000 53 2,131 51 2,151 
			 East Midlands 55 1,880 56 1,918 55 1,985 
			 West Midlands 51 2,130 50 2,099 51 2,228 
			 East of England 57 2,500 55 2,434 56 2,575 
			 London 55 3,220 52 3,061 51 3,106 
			 South East 58 3,760 58 3,758 58 3,893 
			 South West 54 2,180 54 2,209 54 2,283 
			 England 54 21,330 53 21,309 54 22,191 
		
	
	A final assessment of progress against the Department's SR04 PSA3 target was published on 11 December 2008. Full details can be found at:
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/publications/5653.aspx

Exercise

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many and what percentage of people aged 16 years and over  (a) from black and ethnic minority groups,  (b) with a limiting disability,  (c) from lower socio-economic groups,  (d) who were female and  (e) from the total population, (i) did and (ii) did not (A) participate in two arts activities and (B) attend two arts events in each 12 months in each of the last three years, broken down by region; and what assessment he has made of his Department's progress towards its public service agreement targets in this area.

Barbara Follett: holding answer 18 December 2008
	The 'Taking Part' survey is a continuous household survey providing national data on participation in culture, leisure and sport by adults aged 16 and over.
	Tables 1 to 4, as follows, show the number and percentage of adults who attended two or more arts events in the past 12 months. The data relate to the four sub-groups of the population referred to in the question, by region, for each of the last three years. Data are also provided for the total population in Table 5.
	Tables 6 to 10 provide similar data for adults who participated in two or more arts activities in the past 12 months. The percentage of adults who did not engage in the arts can be deduced from the data given.
	Due to small sample sizes, differences between regions or years may not be statistically significant.
	
		
			  Table 1: Attendance at arts events by adults from Black and minority ethnic groups 
			   Black and minority ethnic 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			   Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand 
			 North East (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) 
			 North West 16 48 26 84 25 85 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 18 51 19 42 22 51 
			 East Midlands 35 87 27 67 23 57 
			 West Midlands 15 81 20 104 25 113 
			 East of England 23 52 28 54 36 97 
			 London 24 425 21 418 26 517 
			 South East 32 141 28 98 35 144 
			 South West 28 26 24 20 33 35 
			 England 24 921 23 898 27 1,112 
			 (1) Note that the survey's sample of Black and minority ethnic people in the North East is too small to provide robust data 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Attendance at arts events by adults with a limiting disability 
			   Limiting disability 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			   Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand 
			 North East 20 100 15 76 17 85 
			 North West 20 271 19 266 23 288 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 19 177 22 206 19 178 
			 East Midlands 24 191 21 170 27 229 
			 West Midlands 22 214 20 198 23 210 
			 East of England 24 214 28 247 25 235 
			 London 26 251 24 227 24 203 
			 South East 29 363 34 405 35 443 
			 South West 30 279 30 256 28 237 
			 England 24 2,059 24 2,051 25 2,108 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 3: Attendance at arts events by adults from lower socio-economic groups 
			   Lower socio-economic 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			   Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand 
			 North East 15 140 12 121 12 129 
			 North West 15 345 14 344 17 405 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 13 233 12 225 15 285 
			 East Midlands 17 253 16 237 19 295 
			 West Midlands 15 268 16 308 16 308 
			 East of England 19 315 21 348 18 309 
			 London 18 320 16 319 17 321 
			 South East 22 486 23 472 25 579 
			 South West 23 385 24 390 22 352 
			 England 17 2,745 17 2,765 18 2,983 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 4: Attendance at arts events by women 
			   Women 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			   Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand 
			 North East 29 305 30 323 27 304 
			 North West 31 859 31 885 33 981 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 31 642 29 617 33 698 
			 East Midlands 32 545 32 542 36 682 
			 West Midlands 30 630 31 681 34 774 
			 East of England 40 909 39 869 42 964 
			 London 42 1,247 35 1,034 38 1,152 
			 South East 42 1,418 42 1,385 45 1,525 
			 South West 39 837 36 766 39 838 
			 England 36 7,392 35 7,102 37 7,919 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 5: Attendance at arts events by all adults 
			   All adults 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			   Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand 
			 North East 27 541 26 535 25 522 
			 North West 28 1,494 29 1,561 31 1,714 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 28 1,098 27 1,106 30 1,262 
			 East Midlands 32 1,074 30 1,037 33 1,182 
			 West Midlands 29 1,206 29 1,217 30 1,314 
			 East of England 36 1,587 36 1,586 36 1,641 
			 London 40 2,334 34 2,018 38 2,276 
			 South East 39 2,548 42 2,693 42 2,804 
			 South West 37 1,482 35 1,412 36 1,516 
			 England 34 13,363 33 13,166 34 14,230 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 6: Participation in arts activities by adults from Black and minority ethnic groups 
			   Black and minority ethnic 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			   Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand 
			 North East (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) 
			 North West 18 53 21 69 22 75 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 14 39 20 47 19 46 
			 East Midlands 21 52 22 55 19 47 
			 West Midlands 18 92 19 98 19 88 
			 East of England 20 45 25 49 24 64 
			 London 22 385 19 366 19 376 
			 South East 26 113 21 72 26 108 
			 South West 28 25 32 27 21 22 
			 England 21 816 20 790 20 830 
			 (1) Note that the survey's sample of Black and minority ethnic people in the North East is too small to provide robust data. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 7: Participation in arts activities by adults with a limiting disability 
			   Limiting disability 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			   Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand 
			 North East 15 76 14 71 12 61 
			 North West 16 218 16 216 16 196 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 17 153 18 171 15 139 
			 East Midlands 22 176 20 159 23 200 
			 West Midlands 17 168 18 179 19 172 
			 East of England 19 164 23 201 19 183 
			 London 17 162 20 184 15 131 
			 South East 22 280 26 308 24 304 
			 South West 24 225 22 188 21 179 
			 England 19 1,621 20 1,677 19 1,566 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 8: Participation in arts activities by adults from lower socio- economic groups 
			   Lower socio-economic 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			   Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand 
			 North East 13 124 10 95 10 104 
			 North West 12 281 12 289 12 292 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 14 258 12 215 12 228 
			 East Midlands 16 240 15 223 16 256 
			 West Midlands 14 251 13 252 11 219 
			 East of England 17 274 17 291 18 297 
			 London 14 262 13 255 14 267 
			 South East 18 402 19 383 18 413 
			 South West 19 320 17 281 18 293 
			 England 15 2,413 14 2,284 15 2,370 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 9: Participation in arts activities by women 
			   Women 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			   Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand 
			 North East 20 207 20 214 19 212 
			 North West 21 587 20 562 19 576 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 24 510 21 449 23 486 
			 East Midlands 26 442 25 428 27 505 
			 West Midlands 21 438 22 478 23 519 
			 East of England 29 655 29 633 28 649 
			 London 26 770 24 721 22 674 
			 South East 30 1,008 28 935 32 1,078 
			 South West 31 673 27 568 29 619 
			 England 26 5,290 24 4,989 25 5,318 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 10: Participation in arts activities by all adults 
			   All adults 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			   Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand 
			 North East 20 392 18 374 17 352 
			 North West 20 1,069 19 1,021 19 1,074 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 22 854 20 814 20 832 
			 East Midlands 24 815 24 825 24 872 
			 West Midlands 21 865 21 881 20 853 
			 East of England 26 1,125 26 1,125 26 1,175 
			 London 26 1,548 23 1,327 21 1,297 
			 South East 27 1,775 26 1,699 27 1,835 
			 South West 28 1,128 26 1,050 26 1,084 
			 England 24 9,571 23 9,117 23 9,376 
		
	
	A final assessment of progress against the Department's SR04 PSA3 target was published on 11 December 2008. Full details can be found at:
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/publications/5653.aspx

Exercise

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many and what percentage of people aged 16 years and over  (a) from black and ethnic minority groups,  (b) with a limiting disability,  (c) from lower socio-economic groups,  (d) who were female and  (e) from the total population, (i) did and (ii) did not access at least one museum or gallery in each 12 months in each of the last three years, broken down by region; and what assessment he has made of his Department's progress towards its Public Service Agreement targets in this area.

Barbara Follett: holding answer 18 December 2008
	The Taking Part survey is a continuous household survey providing national data on participation in culture, leisure and sport by adults aged 16 and over.
	Tables 1 to 4, as follows, show the number and percentage of adults who visited at least one museum or gallery in the past 12 months. The data relate to the four sub-groups of the population referred to in the question, by region, for each of the last three years. Data are also provided for the total population in Table 5. The percentage of adults who did not attend can be deduced from the data given.
	Due to small sample sizes, differences between regions or years may not be statistically significant.
	
		
			  Table 1: Attendance at museums and galleries by adults from black and minority ethnic groups 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			   Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand 
			 North East   
			 North West 36 110 35 112 37 126 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 30 85 32 72 39 92 
			 East Midlands 39 96 28 71 33 80 
			 West Midlands 24 125 27 139 37 168 
			 East of England 36 83 35 69 43 116 
			 London 38 664 35 690 40 789 
			 South East 39 167 36 127 40 164 
			 South West 44 40 32 27 45 48 
			 England 35 1,387 34 1,321 39 1,605 
			  Note: The survey's sample of black and minority ethnic people in the north east is too small to provide robust data. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Attendance at museums and galleries by adults with a limiting disability 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			   Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand 
			 North East 34 176 3 159 35 176 
			 North West 31 414 31 432 36 454 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 30 276 32 297 34 320 
			 East Midlands 32 252 31 245 33 282 
			 West Midlands 28 277 27 259 32 287 
			 East of England 34 304 30 269 27 254 
			 London 34 324 32 301 37 314 
			 South East 34 423 34 399 36 456 
			 South West 32 302 32 273 27 236 
			 England 32 2,746 31 2,635 33 2,779 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 3: Attendance at museums and galleries by adults from lower socio-economic groups 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			   Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand 
			 North East 32 299 31 300 32 338 
			 North West 28 660 30 708 34 819 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 27 491 25 454 31 571 
			 East Midlands 29 442 27 403 27 424 
			 West Midlands 25 454 26 481 28 545 
			 East of England 30 481 31 523 28 467 
			 London 30 546 29 562 33 639 
			 South East 29 645 31 630 33 747 
			 South West 27 438 27 440 27 439 
			 England 28 4,456 28 4,501 31 4,989 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 4: Attendance at museums and galleries by women 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			   Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand 
			 North East 42 442 45 485 41 455 
			 North West 41 1,156 39 1,091 43 1,269 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 40 834 38 805 43 920 
			 East Midlands 40 684 35 587 42 792 
			 West Midlands 35 736 35 767 40 920 
			 East of England 44 995 41 916 44 1,002 
			 London 51 1,470 46 1,359 50 1,543 
			 South East 43 1,459 43 1,403 46 1,579 
			 South West 38 828 40 844 41 885 
			 England 42 8,635 40 8,256 44 9,364 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 5: Attendance at museums and galleries by all adults 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			   Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand 
			 North East 42 837 44 884 41 867 
			 North West 40 2,150 40 2,129 44 2,436 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 39 1,540 39 1,583 42 1,748 
			 East Midlands 41 1,383 38 1,287 40 1,435 
			 West Midlands 35 1,480 37 1,526 39 1,706 
			 East of England 44 1,935 43 1,878 42 1,905 
			 London 51 2,983 47 2,751 52 3,130 
			 South East 44 2,854 45 2,904 46 3,097 
			 South West 40 1,614 39 1,607 40 1,719 
			 England 42 16,775 42 16,547 44 18,042 
		
	
	A final assessment of progress against the Department's SR04 PSA3 target was published on 11 December 2008. Full details can be found at:
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/publications/5653.aspx

Exercise

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many and what percentage of people aged 16 years and over  (a) from black and ethnic minority groups,  (b) with a limiting disability,  (c) from lower socio-economic groups,  (d) who were female and  (e) from the total population, (i) did and (ii) did not visit at least one designated historic environment site in each of the last three years, broken down by region; and what assessment he has made of his Department's progress towards its Public Service Agreement targets in this area.

Barbara Follett: holding answer 18 December 2008
	The Taking Part survey is a continuous household survey providing national data on participation in culture, leisure and sport by adults aged 16 and over.
	Tables 1 to 4, as follows, show the number and percentage of adults who attended at least one designated historic environment site during the past 12 months. The data relate to the four sub-groups of the population referred to in the question, by region, for each of the last three years. Data are also provided for the total population in Table 5. The percentage of adults who did not attend can be deduced from the data given.
	Due to small sample sizes, differences between regions or years may not be statistically significant.
	
		
			  Table 1: Attendance at historic environment sites by adults from black and minority ethnic groups 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			   Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand 
			 North East 50 20 79 25 65 33 
			 North West 47 143 55 176 53 179 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 47 132 51 117 58 138 
			 East Midlands 55 137 47 119 53 130 
			 West Midlands 40 211 44 225 49 225 
			 East of England 63 145 55 108 66 180 
			 London 48 847 43 842 50 985 
			 South East 66 285 67 236 64 261 
			 South West 70 64 61 51 71 76 
			 England 51 1,982 48 1,899 54 2,207 
			 Note:  The survey's sample of black and minority ethnic people in the north east is too small to provide robust data. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Attendance at historic environment sites by adults with a limiting disability 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			   Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand 
			 North East 60 306 61 302 60 305 
			 North West 56 748 57 789 61 768 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 55 498 62 576 62 578 
			 East Midlands 64 502 65 523 66 565 
			 West Midlands 54 534 56 550 55 502 
			 East of England 62 547 64 570 63 594 
			 London 52 502 49 461 49 413 
			 South East 68 842 67 798 68 861 
			 South West 65 610 62 540 61 523 
			 England 59 5,089 60 5,109 61 5,110 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 3: Attendance at historic environment sites by adults from lower socio-economic groups 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			   Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand 
			 North East 58 553 59 566 59 623 
			 North West 55 1,285 56 1,327 59 1,407 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 56 1,027 59 1,092 62 1,151 
			 East Midlands 62 939 61 911 63 992 
			 West Midlands 52 960 57 1,082 53 1,039 
			 East of England 61 981 63 1,058 63 1,063 
			 London 46 829 41 806 46 883 
			 South East 64 1,417 62 1,284 68 1,546 
			 South West 61 1,008 61 1,009 62 990 
			 England 57 8,998 57 9,135 59 9,694 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 4: Attendance at historic environment sites by women 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			   Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand 
			 North East 69 722 72 773 68 759 
			 North West 69 1,937 65 1,838 68 2,003 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 68 1,436 71 1,510 74 1,569 
			 East Midlands 72 1,236 69 1,177 73 1,392 
			 West Midlands 65 1,375 65 1,439 64 1,467 
			 East of England 72 1,631 72 1,602 73 1,687 
			 London 62 1,836 57 1,705 61 1,863 
			 South East 76 2,551 74 2,442 78 2,663 
			 South West 73 1,579 71 1,489 73 1,584 
			 England 70 14,304 68 13,973 70 14,987 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 5: Attendance at historic environment sites by all adults 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			   Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand 
			 North East 69 1,377 71 1,437 69 1,456 
			 North West 68 3,604 67 3,579 70 3,901 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 68 2,711 72 2,902 73 3,084 
			 East Midlands 72 2,438 71 2,451 75 2,674 
			 West Midlands 66 2,757 67 2,806 65 2,842 
			 East of England 73 3,187 72 3,179 72 3,318 
			 London 64 3,730 59 3,461 63 3,828 
			 South East 76 4,963 75 4,867 78 5,239 
			 South West 73 2,966 72 2,932 74 3,137 
			 England 70 27,731 69 27,613 71 29,479 
		
	
	A final assessment of progress against the Department's SR04 PSA3 target was published on 11 December 2008. Full details can be found at:
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/publications/5653.aspx

Football: World Cup

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport for what reasons the 2018 World Cup bid team has had no contact with Opposition parties.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Further to my answer of 17 December 2008,  Official Report column 766W, England 2018 Ltd. is in the process of recruiting a director of government liaison, whose key responsibilities include one to, Ensure all relevant Party Leaders ... are regularly briefed on the progress of the Bid.

Horserace Totalisator Board: EC Action

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on what grounds his Department's plans to sell the Tote met objection from the EU; what response he has made to such objections; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: On 1 June 2005 the European Commission initiated a formal investigation under the state aid provisions of the Treaty of Rome into the then proposed terms of the sale of the Tote, which involved a sale at less than the market price. The Government's view was that the investigation was likely to conclude that such a sale would constitute unlawful state aid, and accordingly notified the Commission on 3 May 2006 that it did not intend to proceed with a sale on those terms and was looking at alternative models.

Offenders

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many former prisoners are employed by his Department; and what his Department's policy is on employing former prisoners.

Gerry Sutcliffe: There are no former prisoners employed in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. A criminal record is not an automatic bar disqualifying an individual from appointment.

Olympic Games 2012

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment his Department has made of the follow-up reports from the  (a) Athens and  (b) Sydney Olympics; and what steps he plans to take to ensure that the 2012 London Olympics has no detrimental effect on sporting participation in the UK.

Gerry Sutcliffe: DCMS officials have looked closely at what happened in previous Olympic and Paralympic games to support preparation for London 2012, which will be the first Olympic and Paralympic games to feature a planned national legacy.
	The Olympics represents a once in a generation opportunity to drive up activity and performance in all levels of sport. This is reflected in the creation of Sport England's new strategy, with the Olympics providing a focal point for the development of a world-leading community sport system. The strategy will deliver one million more people playing sport in contribution to the Legacy Action Plan's commitment to getting two million people more active by 2012.

Sight Impaired

Tom Levitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what guidelines his Department follows in respect of making printed materials and forms accessible to people suffering red/green colour blindness.

Gerry Sutcliffe: DCMS printed materials and forms are available in alternative formats upon request, to meet specific requirements of people with disabilities.

Standish Hospital

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the outcome was of the application to list Block C of the Standish Hospital site; on what basis the decision was taken; for what reasons the hon. Member for Stroud was not informed of the decision; and if he will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: holding answer 17 December 2008
	 After careful consideration of all the evidence, including taking account of advice from English Heritage, and representations by others, I have decided that Block C (former Women's Ward), Standish Hospital is not of sufficient architectural or historic interest to merit listing. The decision was taken on 29 October 2008. My hon. Friend should have been informed of this decision by letter and I regret that this did not happen.

Swimming

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how his Department plans to monitor the effectiveness of the free swimming programme.

Andy Burnham: My Department will monitor and evaluate the Free Swimming Programme to determine future funding and delivery arrangements. As part of this, we will require regular data returns from local authorities. Further details on these requests will be sent to local authorities in due course.

Swimming Advisory Group

Tom Levitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  who the members of the Swimming Advisory Group are; what work they have undertaken to date; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what steps his Department is taking to ensure that all children under 14 are educated about water safety.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: I have been asked to reply.
	The Swimming Advisory Group has ceased to exist since early 2002, when it submitted its final report on swimming to the then Department for Education and Skills, which was considered by Ministers in April of that year. Its membership was made up of the Department for Education and Skills (DfES); the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS); the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted); the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA); the Youth Sport Trust (YST); Sport England; the Amateur Swimming Association (asa); the Institute for Sport and Recreation Management (ISRM); the English Schools Swimming Association (ESSA); the Royal Life-Saving Society (RLSS); the Physical Education Association of the United Kingdom (PEAUK); and the British Association of Advisers and Lecturers in Physical Education (BAALPE).
	Swimming activities and water safety are a compulsory part of the physical education curriculum for all primary pupils.

Swimming: Elderly

Tom Levitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which organisations his Department consulted on the initiative to give free access to swimming for over 60s in the 12 months prior to announcing this programme.

Andy Burnham: My Department designed the Free Swimming Programme in close consultation with a range of stakeholders including the Local Government Association, the Chief Cultural and Leisure Officers' Association, the Amateur Swimming Association and Sport England.

Television and Film

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what support the Government plans to provide to ensure that British production of television drama and film will not be disadvantaged in the current economic climate.

Barbara Follett: The Government continue to support British film through the funding schemes provided by the UK Film Council and the Regional Screen agencies, as well as the Film Tax Relief. For example, the UK Film Council's Premiere Fund is 8 million a year and on average the Fund invests in eight to nine films per annum. Also, the Skills Investment Fund raises close to 1 million per annum and is used, alongside Film Council lottery funding, by Skillset to provide film skills training.
	The six-year funding settlement for the BBC announced in January 2007 provides for an annual increase in the TV licence fee which is either above or in line with the Treasury's inflation forecast at that time for each year of the settlement (with the exception of the increase in year six, which will depend on a further review nearer the time). Within the framework of the Charter and Agreement, it is for the BBC to decide the allocation of the funding to drama and film.
	Investment in content is a core workstream of the Digital Britain project, with the aim of maintaining and enhancing the funding of high quality, professional UK audiovisual and interactive content.

Television: Licensing

Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the likely effect of the campaign to boycott the BBC licence fee on BBC revenues.

Andy Burnham: No assessment has been made. Under the Communications Act, however, it is a criminal offence for a person who uses or installs a television receiver not to have a television licence.

Theatre: Finance

Janet Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much National Lottery funding Arts Council England has distributed for use on theatre projects in each year since its inception.

Barbara Follett: Arts Council England has advised that since its establishment in 1994 the following National Lottery funding has been distributed for use on theatre projects:
	
		
			  National lottery funding to theatre projects 
			
			 1994-95 98,000 
			 1995-96 90,222,423 
			 1996-97 131,098,040 
			 1997-98 66,579,498 
			 1998-99 9,103,336 
			 1999-00 53,628,834 
			 2000-01 24,331,041 
			 2001-02 39,273,730 
			 2002-03 21,756,267 
			 2003-04 78,253,906 
			 2004-05 47,823,833 
			 2005-06 16,082,474 
			 2006-07 16,637,447 
			 2007-08 10,023,637

Theatre: Finance

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much revenue funding there was for theatre in England in each year since 1980.

Barbara Follett: The information requested has been received from Arts Council England and is set out in the table. Prior to 2002-03, the Regional Arts Boards were independent bodies and maintained records according to their own systems and requirements. Consequently, compatible figures for the regularly funded organisations portfolio are not available for earlier years.
	
		
			  Arts Council England grant in aid to regularly funded theatre organisations 
			   000 
			 2002-03 71,669 
			 2003-04 85,501 
			 2004-05 90,692 
			 2005-06 95,032 
			 2006-07 98,098 
			 2007-08 100,575 
			 2008-09 102,864

Tourism

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which holiday destinations in England were most frequently visited by domestic tourists in each of the last 10 years, calculated according to the number of visitors per 10,000 of local population.

Barbara Follett: The way in which VisitBritain captured tourist statistics changed in 2005 and as such comparable information on the most frequently visited holiday destinations is only available for 2006 and 2007.
	
		
			  Destination  Holiday visits  Population  Visits per 10,000 population  Rank 
			  2006 
			 Scarborough 1,255,000 106,233 118,137 1 
			 Blackpool 1,502,000 142,284 105,564 2 
			 Skegness 933,000 130,455 71,519 3 
			 Isle of Wight 908,000 132,719 68,415 4 
			 York 846,000 181,131 46,707 5 
			 Bournemouth 732,000 163,441 44,787 6 
			 Manchester 1,331,000 392,819 33,883 7 
			 Bristol 930,000 380,615 24,434 8 
			 Birmingham 994,000 977,091 10,173 9 
			 London 5,498,000 7,172,036 7,666 10 
			  
			  2007 
			 Newquay 597,000 19,562 305,184 1 
			 Scarborough 1,365,000 106,233 128,491 2 
			 Blackpool 1,605,000 142,284 112,803 3 
			 Great Yarmouth 674,000 90,813 74,218 4 
			 Isle of Wight 920,000 132,719 69,319 5 
			 Skegness 743,000 130,455 56,955 6 
			 Torquay 695,000 129,702 53,584 7 
			 Bournemouth 773,000 163,441 47,295 8 
			 York 767,000 181,131 42,345 9 
			 Norwich 494,000 121,553 40,641 10

Whole Sports Plans

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport within the Sports Governing Body Whole Sports Plans, by what standard means the baselines of participants have been determined.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The baselines for the NGB Whole Sport Plans are provided by Active People Survey 2. This surveyed 191,000 adults (over the age of 16) across England between mid October 2007 and mid October 2008. The Active People Survey is carried out continuously through the year and uses computer assisted telephone interviews to survey a random sample of adults across every local authority in England. A 'participant' is defined as someone who takes part in the sport on at least one occasion a week for at least 30 minutes, and to at least a moderate intensity.

BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM

Arms Trade: Eritrea

Michael Moore: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will list the approved export licences to Eritrea in 2007; how many applications for licences to export to Eritrea were refused during  (a) 2007 and (b) 2008; in respect of what types of goods and services such applications were refused; and what the grounds were for refusal.

Ian Pearson: The Government publish detailed information on export licences issued, refused and revoked, by destination, including a summary of the items covered by these licences, and where appropriate the criterion against which the licence has been refused, in their Annual and Quarterly Reports on Strategic Export Controls.
	The Government's Annual Reports, published since 1997, and Quarterly Reports, published since 2004, are available from the House of Commons Library and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website at
	http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-the-fco/publications/publications/annual-reports/export-controls1.
	The most recent annual report published covers 2007 and the latest quarterly report covers the first quarter of 2008.

Arms Trade: Statistics

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform on what basis defence export statistics will be compiled in the future.

Ian Pearson: UK Trade and Investment Defence and Security Organisation will continue to produce estimates of UK defence export orders based on information provided in confidence by UK defence and security companies. Aggregated information will appear in UK Defence Statistics which is published annually by the Ministry of Defence. The information will relate to the value of new orders recorded by defence and security companies in a particular calendar year.

Billing

Margaret Moran: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what steps he is taking to encourage the Government's prime contractors to pay sub-contractors within 10 days.

Patrick McFadden: BERR are in discussion with our leading suppliers to encourage them to pass on our 10-day payment terms and will be working with them to reduce payment times along the entire supply chain. We are also encouraging other Government Departments to take similar action. In addition, we have asked all of our delivery partners to ensure payments to suppliers are made within 10 days of receiving a correctly rendered invoice and to also encourage their suppliers to pass on these payment terms.

Billing

Mark Oaten: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment he has made of the performance of public bodies in making payments to suppliers within 10 days of receiving an invoice; and if he will make a statement.

Patrick McFadden: holding answer 17 December 2008
	BERR is currently collecting data from other Government Departments and from its own delivery partners on performance in making payments to suppliers within 10 days of receiving a correctly rendered invoice. Although complete figures are not yet available, Government Departments and public bodies have embraced payment within 10 days and are working to implement this across their own organisation and to encourage suppliers to pass on these terms.

Billing

Mark Oaten: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many organisations his Department has contacted to ask that suppliers be paid within 10 days of an invoice being received in the last three months.

Patrick McFadden: holding answer 17 December 2008
	BERR has asked all of its delivery partners to ensure payments to suppliers are made within 10 days of receiving a correctly rendered invoice. We have also published prompt payment guidance for public sector organisations on BERR's website. In addition, we are encouraging our leading suppliers to pass on our 10 day payment terms and will be working with them to reduce payment times along the entire supply chain.

Business for New Europe

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what recent representations he has received from Business for New Europe in connection with the proposals for a third runway at Heathrow.

Patrick McFadden: My noble Friend, the Secretary of State, has received no representations from Business for New Europe in connection with proposals on a third runway at Heathrow.

Business: Complaints

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate his Department has made of the average cost to business of compliance with investigations into super complaints.

Gareth Thomas: No estimate has been made by the Department since the regime came into force. However, the overarching regulatory impact assessment prepared for the Enterprise Act 2002 estimated that all consumer measures introduced by the Act would impose no significant costs to business.

Business: Complaints

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what consumer benefit studies have been conducted into the use of super complaints.

Gareth Thomas: holding answer 9 December 2008
	None have been conducted by this Department.

Business: Ethics

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what steps the Government has taken to ensure that private companies are socially responsible in their actions.

Ian Pearson: The Government are a strong supporter of responsible business behaviour and promote a business-led, voluntary approach to promote corporate responsibility as mainstream business practice. There is now a statutory statement of directors' duties in the Companies Act 2006, which includes the duty to promote the success of the company for the benefit of its members. The UK also promotes adherence to the OECD Guidelines for Multi-national Enterprises, which set recommendations for good corporate behaviour.

Business: Loans

David Kidney: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the eligibility criteria are for applications for loans from the new transition fund.

Patrick McFadden: The loans will be available to SMEs within the European Union definition; eligible companies will be able to apply for new loans for a period of up to six months from the inception of the fund. The repayment period will be three years or as agreed with the company within this time frame. In order to qualify applicants must be able to demonstrate that the absence of such funding is exposing the business to the risk of significant short-term contraction or endangering its existence. Loans from the fund will normally only be made where the existing financiers (including bankers) are, at the time of application to the fund, willing to maintain some borrowing facilities on agreed terms. Applicants, through their business plans, should be able to demonstrate a positive impact on jobs, either through job creation or job retention. The fund will be run on a fully commercial basis and will provide individual loans of up to 250,000. Loans from the fund cannot be used to pay down existing borrowings and business assets could be taken as security at the fund manager's discretion although this would not generally extend to personal guarantees or charges over individuals' private residences. If security is not taken, this fact will be reflected in assessing the commercial rate of interest to be applied.
	The fund will cover most SMEs but there are exceptions and companies falling within the definition of a business in financial difficulty under the 'Community Guidelines on State Aid for Rescuing and Restructuring firms in difficulty' (2004/C 244/02 issued on 1 October 2004); retail businesses and those in commercial property investment will be ineligible.

Business: Postal Services

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of bulk mail deliveries undertaken by private companies in the last period for which figures are available.

Patrick McFadden: None.
	All central and local Government Departments and agencies use the most appropriate and cost-effective postal operator and service to meet their general and respective specific business needs. It is the responsibility of each Government Department to ensure the best value for money when procuring goods or services, and this includes postal services which have been the subject of a report by the National Audit Office in 2006.

Cement

Mark Prisk: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment he has made of the effect on the long-term supply of cement and concrete to the construction industry of domestic cement manufacturers ceasing to produce cement in the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: BERR monitors both cement production and the import of both cement and clinker to the UK. These statistics are published both annually in the Construction Statistics Annual and through the monthly Statistics of Building Materials and Components. Currently around 10 per cent. of UK cement is imported, and an almost similar proportion of clinker for cement production. The sector is reporting that there is currently world over-capacity for cement production. Historically, the sector has varied the level of imports to suit their market, commercial and operational decisions. We would expect this to continue.

Cement: EU Emissions Trading Scheme

Mark Prisk: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment he has made of the effect on domestic cement manufacture of carbon dioxide emissions allowance auctioning proposals under Phase III of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme should  (a) no border adjustment mechanism be introduced for non-carbon constrained countries and  (b) no free allowances be granted; and if he will make a statement.

Joan Ruddock: I have been asked to reply.
	Government believe that sectors at risk of carbon leakage should be identified on the basis of robust evidence and we will continue to consider the available evidence. A number of studies have been carried out to examine the impacts of the introduction of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme on the competitiveness of those sectors covered by the scheme. To date the two most significant pieces of UK research are those which were carried out by Climate Strategies and Oxford Economics, both of which were published in 2007 and were funded by DEFRA and/or BERR. Each report considered the effects of the EU ETS on a number of key sectors, including cement.
	The results of the modelling study undertaken by Oxford Economics suggested that the impact of the EU ETS on industrial production would be small. The results suggested that, if industry were required to purchase all of their allowances, at a carbon price of 25/tCO2 and assuming no equivalent action by non-EU countries, then less than 0.1 per cent. of domestic production in the non-metallic minerals sector (which contains cement) would be lost to countries outside of the EU.

Cement: EU Emissions Trading Scheme

Mark Prisk: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate he has made of the carbon dioxide price at which domestic cement manufacturing may begin to reduce in the UK should no equalisation measures be placed on cement exporters outside the EU at the start of Phase III of the Emissions Trading Scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Joan Ruddock: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government commissioned Oxford Economics to undertake a research project to examine the impact that the EU ETS could have on production decisions in UK industrial sectors. While the study did not identify a specific tipping point at which domestic cement production will begin to reduce, the results of the study did suggest that the impact on domestic production would be small. For example, the modelling results suggest that, if the industry were required to purchase all of their allowances, at a carbon price of 25/tCO2 and assuming no equivalent action by non-EU countries, less than 0.1 per cent. of production in the non-metallic minerals sector, which contains cement, is likely to be lost to countries outside the EU.

Cement: EU Emissions Trading Scheme

Mark Prisk: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will estimate the percentage of domestic cement manufacture which may move to countries outside the ambit of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) at a price per tonne of carbon dioxide of  (a) 20 euros,  (b) 25 euros,  (c) 30 euros,  (d) 35 euros and  (e) 40 euros (i) should free allowances be granted to cement manufacturers at each percentage point between 80 and 100 per cent. of their total allowances under Phase III of the ETS and (ii) should no equalisation measures be placed on exporters outside the EU at the start of Phase III; and if he will make a statement.

Joan Ruddock: I have been asked to reply.
	The available evidence suggests that, if the non-metallic minerals sector (which includes the cement industry) is allocated 100 per cent. of their allowances for free, assuming a carbon price of 25/tCO2 and no equivalent action by non-EU countries, less than 0.1 per cent. of domestic production would be lost to countries outside of the EU. The percentage reduction in domestic production is not available for all carbon prices. However, we would expect the impact to be larger at higher carbon prices.
	The assessment of which sectors are at risk of carbon leakage as a result of the costs of complying with the EU ETS will nevertheless be decided on the basis of EU data. The allocation of free allowances will therefore be dependent on the cost increase and trade intensity data for the cement industry across all EU member states rather than just the UK.

Climate Change

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment his Department has made of its capacity to adapt to climate change; and what plans he has to publish a climate change adaptation strategy.

Ian Pearson: In July 2008, the cross-Government Adapting to Climate Change Programme published Adapting to climate change in Englanda framework for action which set out the Government's strategy for adaptation and the work-plan for the cross-Government Programme for the next three years. This programme increases Government's capacity to adapt by ensuring a coordinated approach across all Departments and the public sector, and overall responsibility for it rests with Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Information about the Programme and its work can be found at
	www.defra.gov.uk/adaptation.
	This includes taking forward work flowing from the Climate Change Actincluding a national Climate Change Risk Assessment and cost benefit analysis which will inform future priorities for the statutory adaptation programme that will then begin in 2012.
	The Government's longer term strategy on adapting to a changing climate will be set out in this statutory National Adaptation Programme, which will be reviewed and updated on a five year rolling basis in response to updated risk assessments, and report to Parliament.
	In addition, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) is encouraging industry sectors to consider and review their resilience arrangements and is working towards embedding adaptation into its own operations.

Company Law: Billing

Justine Greening: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate he has made of the proportion of publicly-listed companies which complied with the provisions of the Companies Act 1985 to submit their payment terms to Companies House in the latest period for which figures are available.

Ian Pearson: All public companies are required to disclose their payment terms in their accounts. It is the responsibility of the companies to ensure that their accounts meet all the requirements of the Companies Acts.

Construction: Public Appointments

Mark Oaten: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform when he expects to make an announcement on the new role of the Chief Construction Officer.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 15 December 2008
	A discussion paper will be issued shortly. As announced in BERR's press notice of 2 October 2008, full details of the potential terms and scope of the role will be confirmed as part of the operational efficiency programme. The results of this work will be announced in the Budget.

Constructionline

Tim Boswell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the functions are of Constructionline in reducing the administrative, financial and compliance burden on small and medium-sized enterprises of multiple health and safety pre-qualification schemes in the public sector; and what account it takes of work already completed by the construction industry on health and safety.

Ian Pearson: The purpose of Constructionline is specifically to reduce duplication of effort by allowing tenderers to answer the key prequalification questions once. After that, tendering organisations only need to ask the project-specific questions of tenderers. This significantly lowers the financial and administrative burdens on SMEs, which make up the vast majority of the construction industry. Constructionline's questions are drawn from HSE's requirements for contractors in respect of health and safety. Constructionline works closely with other industry organisations and Government on health and safety matters, and will be a member of the 'Safety Schemes in Procurement Competence Forum (SSIP)' when it is formally launched in April 2009.

Departmental Contracts

Mark Hoban: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what contracts his Department awarded to  (a) KPMG,  (b) PricewaterhouseCoopers,  (c) Ernst and Young,  (d) McKinsey,  (e) Deloitte and  (f) other consultancy firms in each of the last 12 months; and what the (i) purpose and (ii) monetary value of each of those contracts was.

Patrick McFadden: Central records indicate that in each of the last 12 months the providers listed received the following payments for services. Where a supplier is not listed there has been no expenditure for that month. The Department has not made any payments to McKinsey during this period.
	
		
			   
			  November 2007  
			 Deloitte and Touche LLP 262,266.05 
			 Ernst and Young LLP 54,116.61 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 385,734.50 
			 KPMG 12,711.82 
			  December 2007  
			 Deloitte and Touche LLP 357,509.49 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 366,232.78 
			 KPMG 12,711.82 
			  January 2008  
			 Deloitte and Touche LLP 319,903.66 
			 Ernst and Young LLP 68,436.00 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 330,293.17 
			  February 2008  
			 Deloitte and Touche LLP 401,168.00 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 273,849.17 
			  March 2008  
			 Deloitte and Touche LLP 28,926.73 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 274,471.34 
			  April 2008  
			 Deloitte and Touche LLP 294,290.34 
			 Ernst and Young LLP 43,815.75 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 779,168.59 
			 KPMG 49,744.00 
			  May 2008  
			 Deloitte and Touche LLP 339,927.71 
			 Ernst and Young LLP 72,213.14 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 425,820.23 
			  June 2008  
			 Deloitte and Touche LLP 410,926.53 
			 Ernst and Young LLP 18,170.79 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 583,884.64 
			  July 2008  
			 Deloitte and Touche LLP 91,368.22 
			 Ernst and Young LLP 225,952.26 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 1,485,899.41 
			 KPMG 147,958.00 
			  August 2008  
			 Deloitte and Touche LLP 164,056.25 
			 Ernst and Young LLP 104,804.13 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 238,590.91 
			 KPMG 58,142.32 
			  September 2008  
			 Deloitte and Touche LLP 238,509.40 
			 Ernst and Young LLP 70,231.40 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 1,310,801.81 
			 KPMG 25,330.00 
			  October 2008  
			 Deloitte and Touche LLP 310,107.28 
			 Ernst and Young LLP 84,407.89 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 1,837,929.64 
			 KPMG 13,582.50 
			  November 2008  
			 Deloitte and Touche LLP 252,133.73 
			 Ernst and Young LLP 105,672.86 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 191,695.83 
		
	
	The total payment to other consultancy firms in the last 12 months is 15,155,819.
	The answer to Part (i) and (ii) can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Data Protection

Paul Holmes: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many civil servants in his Department have been  (a) investigated,  (b) suspended and  (c) dismissed for (i) losing and (ii) deliberately disclosing (A) data stored on departmental equipment and (B) confidential information in each year since its inception.

Gareth Thomas: We are unable to answer the question as to do so would breach the confidentiality of individual/s concerned.

Departmental Data Protection

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform when his Department appointed a senior information risk owner in accordance with the report, Data Handling Procedures in Government and the accompanying document Cross-departmental Actions: Mandatory Minimum Action; and what grade the person holds within the Department.

Patrick McFadden: This Department had a Senior Information Risk Owner in place before publication of the report Data Handling Procedures in Government and the accompanying document Cross-departmental Actions: Mandatory Minimum Action. The current BERR Senior Information Risk Owner is a Grade 2.

Departmental Energy

Gordon Banks: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what steps his Department is taking to reduce the amount of energy it wastes.

Patrick McFadden: The Government's delivery plan for 'Sustainable Procurement and Operations on the Government Estate', published in August 2008, provides a full account of the initiatives Departments are taking to reduce their energy waste. The Government have committed to updating the delivery plan on a six monthly basis, and the first of these updates was published on 18 December 2008.

Departmental Furniture

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much was spent by his Department on furniture made by  (a) British firms,  (b) Remploy and  (c) overseas firms in each year since 2000.

Patrick McFadden: This Department's published 'Annual Report and Accounts' contains information on its tangible fixed assets, which includes an additions category entitled 'furniture, fixtures and fittings'.
	These accounts can be found on the BERR website at the following address:
	www.berr.gov.uk
	The following years accounts are on the website:
	BERR Annual Report and Accounts 2007-2008 (HC 757)Chapter 5Note 14
	DTI Annual Report and Accounts 2006-2007 (HC 584) Chapter 5Note 14
	DTI Annual Report and Accounts 2005-2006 (HC 1461 Note 14
	DTI Annual Report and Accounts 2004-2005 (HC 612) Note 13
	DTI Annual Report and Accounts 2003-2004 (HC 26) Note 14
	Published accounts for 2001-02 and 2002-03 are available from the Stationery Office. All furniture purchased during this period was from British firms, apart from one German company which we no longer use. No furniture was purchased from Remploy.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Philip Hammond: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much his Department spent on employing staff to assist special advisers in each of the last three years.

Patrick McFadden: Salary costs were 63,370 in 2006; 70,820 in 2007 and 84,300 in 2008.

Departmental Public Consultation

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform on which occasions his Department and its predecessor has convened a citizens' jury or randomly-drawn panel of people to aid the Department's policy-making since 2000; whether the participants were paid in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 22 October,  Official Report, column reference 347W, to the right hon. member for Maidenhead (Mrs. May). There have been no citizens' juries since July 2007 and to check the position back to 2000 could only be done at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Public Expenditure

Roger Williams: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what recent consideration he has given to bringing forward publicly-funded capital works commissioned by his Department; and what discussions he has had with Treasury ministers on the financing of these projects.

Patrick McFadden: HMG assessed a number of options for bringing forward capital spending as part of a fiscal stimulus. The 3 billion package announced in the 2008 pre-Budget report was based on the principles that it should be timely (focused on those projects that could be brought forward in the time available), targeted (focused on capital spending that would support the UK economy) and temporary (bringing forward spendingprotecting the fiscal position in the medium term).
	Capital spending was brought forward in a range of areas, including investing in energy efficiency measures and increasing capacity in the motorway network. The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) has no substantial capital spending programmes following the transfer of the Nuclear Decommissioning Agency (NDA) to the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). BERR is therefore not forming part of the Capital Expenditure Acceleration Programme.
	BERR is already taking steps to assist business through the economic downturn through new schemes on small business finance, including a capital fund of 50 million announced in the pre-Budget report and funded from the existing Mezzanine Fund, Enterprise Capital Funds and a 10 million regional development agencies (RDA) contribution. This fund will provide capital support to overleveraged small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This is in addition to the capital expenditure schemes that the Department currently funds.

Departmental Training

Mark Hoban: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform which external companies and organisations have been used by his Department to provide training for fast stream civil service staff in his Department in the last three years; and how many staff participated in such training.

Patrick McFadden: The Department uses our preferred training providers Personnel Training Services Consortium (PTSC) and National School of Government (NSG) for fast stream training. For language training, the Department uses the preferred supplier Communicaid.
	52 fast streamers participated in training with PTSC and NSG between 2006 and 2008.
	Based on business demand, 12 fast streamers undertook language training between 2006 and 2008.

Departmental Training

Mark Hoban: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much his Department spent on digital media training courses provided by the Internet Advertising Bureau in 2008; how many such training sessions have been held in 2008; and how many staff members in his Department attended at least one such training course.

Patrick McFadden: The Department has no record of using the services of the Internet Advertising Bureau in 2008.

Departmental Temporary Employment

Mark Hoban: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform with reference to the answer of 10 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 906-07W, on departmental temporary employment, how many staff were recruited through each company in each year; and for how long on average staff recruited through these companies worked for the Department in each year.

Patrick McFadden: With reference to the answer of 10 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 906-07W, on departmental temporary employment, information on the number of staff recruited through each company in each year and how long on average staff recruited through these companies worked for the Department in each year could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what budget the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate has to publicise its activities; and what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the agency's promotional activities.

Patrick McFadden: During the 2008-09 financial year, the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform is running a 1.25 million campaign to raise awareness of employment rights among vulnerable agency workers, including raising the profile of the Employment Agency Standards (EAS) Inspectorate.
	The EAS promotional activities include publication and launch of the 'Know Your Rights' leaflet last month, and we will monitor the effectiveness of our awareness raising campaign towards the end of the financial year.

Finsbury Ltd. and Roland Rudd

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform on what dates since 1 January 2007  (a) Ministers and  (b) officials in his Department have had discussions with (i) Finsbury Ltd. and (ii) Roland Rudd.

Patrick McFadden: holding answer 15 December 2008
	The information requested is as follows.
	 Finsbury Ltd .
	Since 1 January 2007, Ministers have not had discussions with Finsbury Ltd. No meetings with officials have been reported either.
	 Roland Rudd
	Since 1 January 2007, discussions have been held which Roland Rudd attended on the following dates:
	A Secretary of State has had discussions with Roland Rudd on:
	11 September 2007Secretary of State had an introductory meeting with BNE Members;
	19 December 2007Secretary of State attended a BNE breakfast event on Europe and to discuss 14 January 2008 Global Europe Conference;
	7 January 2008Telephone conversation to catch-up on preparations for the Global Europe Conference on 14 January 2008;
	14 January 2008The BERR/FCO 'Business Priorities for a Global Europe' Conference was organised in co-operation with BNE, with Roland Rudd chairing the event and BERR Secretary of State John Hutton was one of the speakers;
	17 June 2008Secretary of State attended a dinner with BNE members:
	17 October 2008Secretary of State met with Roland Rudd;
	10 December 2008Lord Mandelson had a breakfast meeting with Roland Rudd and several BNE company members to discuss EU economic reform issues;
	17 December 2008Lord Mandelson had a second breakfast meeting with Roland Rudd and several other BNE company members to discuss EU economic reform issues.
	Ministers have had discussions with Roland Rudd on:
	2 October 2008BERR Minister of State Shriti Vadera attended a breakfast meeting with BNE (Roland Rudd attended);
	7 March 2008Dinner attended by BERR Minister of State Shriti Vadera, Roland Rudd, and other guests;
	7 May 2008BERR Minister of State Shriti Vadera spoke at BNE Enlargement Seminar;
	8 December 2008The Global Europe Business Summit was attended by BERR Minister of State Shriti Vadera and Roland Rudd was one of the business participants (representing BNE).

Finsbury Ltd. and Roland Rudd

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what recent representations he has received from Finsbury Ltd. in connection with the proposal for a third runway at Heathrow.

Patrick McFadden: holding answer 15 December 2008
	My noble Friend, the Secretary of State, has received no representations from Finsbury Ltd. in connection with proposals on a third runway at Heathrow.

Keep your Future Afloat Campaign

Francis Maude: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform with reference to the answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Rochford and Southend East (James Duddridge) of 27 October 2008,  Official Report, column 722W, on the Keep your Future Afloat campaign, for what reason the North West Regional Development Agency provided funding to the campaign; and what expenditure the campaign undertook as a result of the funding provided.

Patrick McFadden: NWDA funding has been used over a number of years to enable KOFAC Co-ordinating Committee to continue delivering a targeted lobbying campaign to sustain a significant number of jobs in the naval shipbuilding industrial base of north-west England. Targets of the more recent campaign have been future aircraft carriers, Astute and replacement Vanguard class submarines, MARS supply ships, civil nuclear and other diversification opportunities.
	Funding goes towards project management, essential research, preparation of customised lobby material and arrangement of attendance at national conferences and other events.

Automotive Industry

Bob Spink: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what representations he has received from  (a) the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and  (b) Ford on (i) financial support from the taxpayers and (ii) Ford's plans to move production of the Transit Van from Southampton to Turkey; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 15 December 2008
	We have wide-ranging contact at all levels with the automotive industry and its representatives (including the SMMT). My noble Friend, the Minister of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and I met with automotive manufacturers, suppliers and retailers on 27 November and we continue to have close dialogue. Ford confirmed in November that it will manufacture its new Eco Boost engine family, which is 20 per cent. more fuel efficient and emits 15 per cent. less carbon dioxide, for global use at its Bridgend factory. Ford's investment was secured with 13.4 million in support from taxpayers via the Welsh Assembly Government. This will increase jobs at the Bridgend factory, the third largest employer in Wales, to more than 2,000. It is intended the current Transit model will be produced at Southampton until 2011. We strongly welcome Ford's commitment to seeing production of the chassis cab variant of the next model Transit at their Southampton site in the future.

Automotive Industry

Derek Twigg: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what steps he is taking to support the car manufacturing industry in Cheshire and Merseyside.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 17 December 2008
	We are closely engaged with the automotive and other sectors in the UK, including those companies in the Cheshire and Merseyside area, acting both at a European level (for example through the European Investment Bank's 8 billion automotive support fund), and at a national and regional level. This includes the package of support for SMEs announced in the PBR and the Northwest Regional Development Agency's transitional loan fund for SMEs announced on 8 December. We have also written to all major vehicle manufacturers in the UK asking them to forward on to their suppliers a note about support available.

Overseas Market Introduction Service

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform whether there have been any changes in Overseas Market Introduction Service fees in the last 12 months.

Gareth Thomas: Prices for the five service levels of UK trade and Investment's Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS) were increased in April 2008. OMIS prices are advertised gross, inclusive of VAT. The prices were lowered on 1 December 2008 to take account of the Government's decision to reduce VAT to 15 per cent. from that date.

Overseas Trade

William Hague: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform in which countries there are no official services delivered on behalf of UK Trade and Investment through the British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate General in that country.

Gareth Thomas: UK Trade and Investment has no dedicated resource in the following countries: Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Ascension, Bahamas, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, British Indian Ocean Territories, Burkina Fasso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros Congo, Congo (Democratic Republic), Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Dominica, East Timor, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Gibraltar, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lesotho, Liberia, Macedonia, Madagascar, Maldives, Malawi, Mali, Malta, Mauritius, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, North Korea, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Pitcairn, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, St. Helena, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenadines, Surinam, Swaziland, Tajikistan, Togo, Tonga, Tristan da Cunha, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vatican, Vanuatu, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
	While UK Trade and Investment does not have specific resource in the markets listed, political support from the ambassador or high commissioner, in respect of a particular contract or to support a UK business with interests in that market, remains available. UK Trade and Investment also provide basic information on these markets via the UK Trade and Investment website.
	UK Trade and Investment is represented in the following 99 markets, which account for over 98 per cent. of global GDP: Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium/Luxembourg, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Occupied Palestinian Territories, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland/Liechtenstein, Syria, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen.

Overseas Trade

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what steps UK Trade and Investment takes to ensure that overseas regional trade missions are properly co-ordinated and that the funding is equitable for similar companies.

Gareth Thomas: UK Trade and Investment makes funding available to its regional teams for Market Visit Support (MVS) by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
	MVS enables companies to be supported individually or in groups in the form of a trade mission. Companies from one region can participate in visits organised by another region. All regions work to the same set of guidance. Where MVS funding is to support a visit to market, it is based on a specific subsidy for each overseas market.

Overseas Trade: Advisory Services

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform when the guidance relating to offering companies free advice without an Overseas Market Introduction Service fee was last changed; and what the content was of that change.

Gareth Thomas: Guidance on offering free advice to companies dates from April 2004, when the Overseas Market Introduction Service was introduced across UK Trade and Investment's global network. This guidance has been re-emphasised on a number of occasions since 2004. UKTI's trade officers may spend around an hour of their time exploring a company's needs and explaining what can be done for them. They may also provide a limited amount of 'off-the-shelf' information. However, the guidance is that companies should be charged for substantive help from UKTI trade officers in overseas embassies, high commissions and consulates.

Parental Leave

Susan Kramer: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many and what proportion of new fathers have taken paternal leave in each year since 2001, broken down by local authority; and if he will make a statement.

Patrick McFadden: Information on the number and proportion of new fathers taking paternity leave in each year from 2001, broken down by local authority is not available. However, since 2002, three surveys on Maternity and Paternity Rights have been produced by my Department and the Department for Work and Pensions. These publications include a survey on the proportion of new fathers taking paternity leave, and can be found at:
	 1. Maternity rights and mothers' employment decisions
	http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/rports2007-2008/rrep496.pdf
	 2. Maternity and Paternity Rights and Benefits: Survey of Parents 2005
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file27446.pdf
	 3. Maternity and Paternity Rights in Britain 2002: survey of parents
	http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/ih2003-2004/IH131.pdf
	The Maternity and Paternity Rights and Benefits: Survey of Parents 2005 shows that 93 per cent. of fathers take time off around the time of their child's birth. Of the fathers who took time off, 79 per cent. took at least some paid statutory paternity leave. The Maternity Rights and Mother's Employment Decisions paper, which carried out a survey in 2007 shows that 91 per cent. of fathers' took some time off when the baby was born. However, this figure does not differentiate between paternity leave and other types of leave (e.g. annual leave).

Post Office: Pay

Tim Loughton: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what bonus payments were made to directors of the Post Office in each of the last five years.

Patrick McFadden: The level of directors' bonus payments is a matter for Royal Mail's remuneration committee. I have asked the company secretary of Royal Mail to reply direct to the hon. Member.
	Copies of the letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Post Office: Pay

Tim Loughton: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the salary and pension package of each director of the Post Office was in each of the last three years.

Patrick McFadden: The level of directors' salary and pension packages is a matter for Royal Mail's remuneration committee. I have asked the company secretary of Royal Mail to reply direct to the hon. Member.
	Copies of the letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Post Offices

Jon Cruddas: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what plans he has to increase the work of post offices and to expand the financial services they offer; and whether he intends to continue the Post Office closure programme.

Patrick McFadden: Post Office Ltd. continues to explore and develop opportunities to expand the range of financial and other services offered through post offices. The recently announced Savings Gateway scheme will be available through the post office network and the Government will continue to explore the scope for introducing additional work. In addition, the Select Committee for Business and Enterprise has agreed to undertake an inquiry to identify new services to help secure the long term viability of the post office network.
	The Network Change programme is now drawing to a close and there are no plans for a further closure programme.

Post Offices

Jon Cruddas: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many post offices scheduled to shut under the Network Change programme remain open; and what the date of the latest scheduled closure is.

Patrick McFadden: Around 15 per cent. of the initial Network Change proposals were changed during the pre-consultation phase and, to date, 87 closures and four outreach proposals have been withdrawn in the light of responses to the local public consultations. I understand from Post Office Ltd. that only a small number of closures have yet to take place. Most of these relate to offices which are to be replaced by an outreach service.

Post Offices

Jon Cruddas: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment he has made of the economic effect of local post offices on small and medium-sized businesses in that area.

Patrick McFadden: The Government fully recognise the social and economic value of post offices to the communities they serve. Accordingly in implementing its Network Change Programme, Post Office Ltd. was required by Government to work within the framework of national minimum access criteria to ensure continuing reasonable access and to consider the impact of proposed closures and other changes in service provision on local economies.

Post Offices

Jon Cruddas: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform when the first meeting of the new cross-departmental Post Office group is to be held.

Patrick McFadden: The Cabinet Committee on the Post Office Network meets as required and officials across Government continue to explore the scope for making new services available at post offices.

Post Offices

Jon Cruddas: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what plans he has to increase the proportion of Post Office business from the Government.

Patrick McFadden: The Government will continue to explore the scope for increasing the range of services which can be provided by Post Office Ltd. In addition, the Business and Enterprise Committee has been asked to review and identify potential new services which could be offered through the post office network.

Postal Services

Joan Walley: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment he has made of Postcomm's direction in respect of Royal Mail's request for exemption from the pre-notification requirements for changes to its local collect service; and if he will make a statement.

Patrick McFadden: After careful consideration of Royal Mail's application and following a consultation with stakeholders, Postcomm, the independent industry regulator, decided to exempt Royal Mail from the three-month notification period required by condition 7 of its licence to waive the 50p redelivery local collect charge for the course of December 2008 only.
	Postcomm acknowledged that Royal Mail's compliance processes had not operated correctly in this instance and expects Royal Mail to anticipate the need for condition 7 to be adhered to in the future unless a prior exemption has been sought. Postcomm accepted that this appeared to be a genuine error on this occasion.
	More information on Postcomm's direction can be found on its website at:
	www.psc.gov.uk

Postcodes

Greg Knight: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will investigate the pricing structure operated by the Post Office in respect of access to its postcode address file; what rates for access are payable by  (a) voluntary and non-profit organisations and  (b) commercial organisations; and if he will make a statement.

Patrick McFadden: holding answer 17 December 2008
	The Postcode Address File (PAF) is owned and managed by Royal Mail. As specified under the Postal Services Act 2000 and as a condition of its licence, the company is obliged to maintain the postcode address file (the PAF) and to make it available to any person who wishes to use it on terms that are reasonable. Prices for accessing the PAF are published on Royal Mail's website
	www.royalmail.com.
	If any PAF user or any stakeholder feels that Royal Mail is not complying with the terms of section 116 of the PSA 2000 or Condition 22 of its licence, Postcomm, the industry regulator, will consider the merits of any such complaints in the light of its statutory duties.

Postcodes

Greg Knight: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what representations he has received on making access to the Post Office's postcode address file  (a) cheaper and  (b) free.

Patrick McFadden: holding answer 17 December 2008
	None. Postcomm, the industry regulator, in accordance with its statutory responsibilities, carried out a consultation on the management of and access to the postal address file (PAF) in 2006 and published a decision document in April 2007 which laid down new safeguards for the future management of the PAF. The consultation asked all PAF users for comments on a series of proposals designed to make sure that the database is managed and made available to other organisations wishing to use it on fair and reasonable terms. Following the consultation, Postcomm held discussions with Royal Mail, which agreed to implement all the recommendations outlined in the report. These included the setting up of an independent PAF Advisory Board to give independent advice to the Address Management Unit of Royal Mail on behalf of PAF users. More information on Postcomm's consultation and decision can be found on its website
	www.psc.gov.uk.
	Postcomm will consider any complaints over access to the postcode address file.

Postwatch: Expenditure

Tim Loughton: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform 
	(1)  what the cost of Postwatch was in the last 12 months;
	(2)  how much was spent on salaries of members of Postwatch, including bonuses, in the last 12 months.

Patrick McFadden: Details of Postwatch's expenditure and the salaries which includes bonuses, awarded to its members for the period ending 31 March 2008 can be found in its annual report. This information can also be accessed through the Postwatch archived website at:
	http://collections.europarchive.org/tna/20080905233558/http://www.postwatch.co.uk/images/stories/pdfs/annual_reports/Postwatch_AR_2007-08_WEBv2.pdf
	Postwatch's final annual report and accounts to cover the remaining six-month period of its operation prior to its merger with Consumer Focus, is due to be published in January 2009. My officials will make the appropriate arrangements to place copies of this document in the Libraries of the House.

Postwatch: Publications

Tim Loughton: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the cost of producing the Postwatch publication Post, present and future was.

Patrick McFadden: The cost of producing the hardback report, Post, present and future, published by Postwatch is given as follows:
	Production costs: 29,010

Public Houses

James Paice: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate his Department has made of the number of public houses in England in  (a) hamlets and isolated dwellings,  (b) villages,  (c) towns and fringe settlements and  (d) settlements of more than 10,000 inhabitants in each year since 1997.

Kevin Brennan: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated January 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning what estimate has been made of the number of public houses in England in (a) hamlets and isolated dwellings, (b) villages, (c) town and fringe settlements and (d) settlements of more than 10,000 inhabitants in each year since 1997. (243172)
	Estimates for the urban-rural geography are only available from 2005. The table below contains counts of local units classified to public houses using the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC), version 2003, taken from the Interdepartmental Business Register (IDBR).
	
		
			  Counts of Local Units for Public Houses and Bars, excluding licensed clubs (SIC 5540 excluding 55401) England 
			   Urban 10,000 population  Town and Fringe  Village  Hamlet and Isolated Dwelling  Total 
			 2005 30,030 4,560 6,565 2,780 43,935 
			 2006 29,600 4,540 6,520 2,740 43,400 
			 2007 29,740 4,590 6,540 2,705 43,575 
			 2008 28,995 4,485 6,480 2,755 42,715 
			  Note: Annual estimates are extracted from the IDBR at March each year

Redundancy

Justine Greening: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many of his Department's staff who left under  (a) an involuntary and  (b) a voluntary exit scheme in each year since 2005-06 received a severance package of (i) up to 25,000, (ii) 25,001 to 50,000, (iii) 50,001 to 75,000, (iv) 75,001 to 100,000 and (v) over 100,000; and if he will make a statement.

Patrick McFadden: The numbers of staff who received payments in the requested bands are as follows:
	
		
			   Up to 25,000  25,001 to 50,000  50,001 to 75,000  75,001 to 100,000  Over 100,000  Total 
			  Voluntary   
			 2005-06 45 29 21 9 12 116 
			 2006-07 35 39 46 22 35 177 
			 2007-08 31 41 46 17 17 152 
			
			  Involuntary   
			 2005-06 7 5 7 1 3 23 
			 2006-07 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 2007-08 5 8 4 3 0 20 
		
	
	Payments include pension lump sums as well as compensation awards.
	The Department will always try to deal with staff surpluses by means other than redundancy. If redundancies become unavoidable, the Department will endeavour to reduce staff by voluntary rather than involuntary means wherever possible.

Regional Development Agencies

Paul Goodman: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform 
	(1)  how much each regional development agency plans to spend on cohesion and integration work in  (a) 2008-09 and  (b) each of the two subsequent years;
	(2)  how many staff in each regional development agency work on cohesion and integration; and what the cost of employing these staff is expected to be in  (a) 2008-09 and  (b) each of the two subsequent years.

Patrick McFadden: While regional development agencies (RDAs) take account of cohesion and integration issues, RDAs do not record expenditure according to cohesion and integration as a category of corporate spending. Furthermore, to separate out those data would incur disproportionate cost.

Regional Development Agencies: Cost Effectiveness

Eric Pickles: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment his Department has made of the value for money provided by regional development agencies.

Patrick McFadden: The Government have commissioned PricewaterhouseCoopers to conduct an independent evaluation of the economic impact of RDAs. Their report has just been completed and I will be presenting it to the House shortly.

Regional Economic Council

Dai Davies: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform with reference to the answer of 18 November 2008,  Official Report, column 425W, on the Regional Economic Council, where on his Department's website the notes following each regional economic council are located.

Patrick McFadden: The minutes can be found on the BERR website:
	www.berr.gov.uk
	under the 'What we do' heading and 'Regional Economic Development' section. A link to the Regional Economic Council will be found on this page.
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/regional/index.html

Retail Trade: Reading

Robert Wilson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many independent retailers were operating in the Reading Borough Council area in each of the last 10 years.

Kevin Brennan: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated January 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning how many independent retailers were operating in the Reading Borough Council area in each of the last 10 years. (244438)
	The Office for National Statistics publishes estimates of the number of enterprises by-UK Standard Industrial Classification (version 2003). Using this classification, it is not possible to separately identify independent retailers. The table covers independent retailers, any chain with its headquarters in Reading and retailers operating franchises. Shops belonging to retail chains are not included in these figures. Please see Annex A for further detail.
	Between 2007 and 2008 there was a change of definition, which means that it is not possible to make a direct comparison using the published data. Prior to 2008 only VAT registered enterprises were included in the publication. In 2008 the publication was widened to include enterprises with only a PAYE record, as well as VAT registered enterprises.
	The 2008 figure based on the old VAT only definition is 380.
	
		
			  Enterprises classified to SIC 52 Retail Trade in Reading Unitary Authority 
			   Number of retail enterprises 
			 1999 415 
			 2000 400 
			 2001 400 
			 2002 380 
			 2003 355 
			 2004 350 
			 2005 350 
			 2006 360 
			 2007 360 
			 2008(1) (1)420 
			 (1) Wider VAT and/or PAYE based definition. 
		
	
	 Annex A
	The data are taken from the Interdepartmental Business Register, and are available in an on-line publication called UK business: activity, size and location.
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=933
	The Standard Industrial Classification does not enable independent retailers to be separately identified. The IDBR comprises of enterprises and local units. The shops belonging to retail chains will be categorised as local units. Local Unit tables are also available in UK business: activity size and location. The enterprise data will contain independent retailers, any chain with its headquarters in Reading and also retailers operating franchises.
	The data are for Reading Unitary Authority.

Royal Mail

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate he has made of the cost of necessary Royal Mail plant modernisation.

Patrick McFadden: This is an operational matter for Royal Mail. I have therefore asked the chief executive of Royal Mail, Adam Crozier, to reply direct to my hon. Friend.
	Copies of the letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Royal Mail

David Drew: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what plans he has to negotiate access for Royal Mail to the  (a) Dutch,  (b) German and  (c) French postal systems.

Patrick McFadden: A new postal directive was adopted at the end of January 2008 confirming that most member states, including the Dutch, German and French postal sectors, will be opened up to full access and competition by 1 January 2011.
	The Government will continue to promote an open, transparent, cost-based, and non-discriminatory market for both domestic and international mail within the framework of the WTO GATS, Universal Postal Union (UPU) and EU obligations.

Royal Mail: Christmas

Angela Smith: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the cost to Royal Mail was of  (a) producing and  (b) delivering the Christmas cards it recently sent to every household in the UK.

Patrick McFadden: This is an operational matter for Royal Mail. I have therefore asked the chief executive of Royal Mail, Adam Crozier, to reply direct to my hon. Friend.
	Copies of the letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Royal Mail: Manpower

Roger Williams: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment he has made of the effect of part privatisation of Royal Mail on the number of jobs in the organisation; and if he will make a statement.

Patrick McFadden: The Government are taking forward the proposal for Royal Mail to enter into a strategic minority partnership with a postal operator with a proven record in transforming its business, working closely with the workforce. Royal Mail will remain publicly owned.
	Any impact on jobs associated with the modernisation of Royal Mail is an operational matter for the management of the company.

Royal Mail: Pay

Dai Davies: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the remuneration package of the chief executive of Royal Mail is; and what proportion of his remuneration is paid from public funds.

Patrick McFadden: The level of the chief executive's remuneration package is a matter for Royal Mail's remuneration committee. I have therefore asked the company secretary of Royal Mail to reply direct to the hon. Member.
	All of Adam Crozier's remuneration is paid from Royal Mail funds.
	Copies of the letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Small Businesses: North West

Mark Hunter: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many small and medium-sized enterprises operating in  (a) the North West,  (b) Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council area and  (c) Cheadle constituency have been declared bankrupt in each year since 1997.

Patrick McFadden: holding answer 18 December 2008
	There is insufficient detailed information held centrally and in a readily available format to provide an answer to this question. This is because:
	corporate insolvency statistics are not currently available at a sub-national level; and
	the administrative systems that record corporate insolvencies do not record the size of the businesses concerned.

Tata Steel

Dai Davies: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what recent discussions he has had with Tata Industries on the long-term future of the steel industry in the UK.

Ian Pearson: The Department enjoys an excellent relationship with Corus, which has been a subsidiary of Tata Steel since April 2007, and there is regular contact between BERR and Corus on a number of issues of interest to the company and the UK steel industry more widely.

Trade Unions: Elections

Mike Hancock: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will seek to amend section 14 of the Employment Act 1988 to allow seafaring union members to participate in votes via the internet when absent at sea.

Patrick McFadden: Section 54 of the Employment Relations Act 2004 provides an order-making power for the Secretary of State to widen the methods of voting which can be used in statutory ballots and elections under trade union law. The Government have no plans at present to use that power.

Trade Unions: Elections

Mike Hancock: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will consider seeking to amend section 14 of the Employment Act 1988 to take account of the position of seafarers who are frequently absent from home.

Patrick McFadden: We have no current plans to amend the law on the political fund ballots.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

Admiralty House

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster with reference to the answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Bromley and Chislehurst (Robert Neill) of 22 July 2008,  Official Report, column 1255W, on Admiralty House, what catering services were provided by the Cabinet Office's provider on a re-charge basis.

Kevin Brennan: I refer the hon. Member to the reply that was given to him on 9 June 2008,  Official Report, column 94W.

Average Earnings

David Willetts: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the mean gross weekly full-time earnings were for  (a) male employees,  (b) female employees and  (c) all employees according to the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings for people aged (i) under 18, (ii) 18 to 20, (iii) 21 to 24, (iv) 25 to 29, (v) 30 to 39, (vi) 40 to 49, (vii) 50 to 59, (viii) 60 to 64 and (ix) 65 and over in each year between 1997 and 2007.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated December 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what the mean gross weekly full-time earnings were for (a) male employees, (b) female employees and (c) all employees according to the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings for people aged (i) under 18, (ii) 18 to 20, (iii) 21 to 24, (iv) 25 to 29, (v) 30 to 39, (vi) 40 to 49, (vii) 50 to 59, (viii) 60 to 64 and (ix) 65 and over in each year between 1997 and 2007. (243711)
	Average levels of earnings are estimated from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), and are provided for all employees on adult rates of pay whose pay for the survey period was not affected by absence.
	I attach a table showing the mean gross weekly earnings for the specified age groupings for all years since 1997.
	
		
			  Mean weekly paygross () for employee jobs( a) : United Kingdom, 1997 to 2008 
			   Age under 18  Age 18-20  Age 21-24  Age 25-29  Age 30-39  Age 40-49  Age 50-59  Age 60-64  Age 65 and over 
			  Full-time 
			 1997 172 193 253 322 402 421 392 352 *331 
			 1998 163 203 269 337 422 441 418 357 339 
			 1999 173 210 284 352 436 455 431 377 *374 
			 2000 192 217 287 370 454 476 444 390 386 
			 2001 196 225 303 398 484 499 467 400 *406 
			 2002 213 238 311 419 508 524 488 417 *419 
			 2003 198 240 314 428 522 545 501 428 *436 
			 2004(b) 216 249 324 442 541 567 524 443 428 
			 2004(c) 218 246 320 433 531 560 519 446 417 
			 2005 209 253 327 444 556 583 544 473 *456 
			 2006(d) 209 262 334 452 576 611 569 509 *507 
			 2006(e) 210 262 333 450 574 608 567 508 *506 
			 2007 216 273 348 464 591 625 582 521 *476 
			 2008 221 282 359 482 611 653 613 541 *507 
			   
			  Full-time Male 
			 1997 *185 214 278 344 432 475 446 377 *357 
			 1998 179 224 295 361 455 498 478 382 *364 
			 1999 179 227 312 376 470 512 490 401 *422 
			 2000 *204 235 310 396 489 534 504 415 *422 
			 2001 *201 240 325 425 521 560 529 423 *440 
			 2002 222 256 332 447 545 588 552 442 *478 
			 2003 199 254 334 456 563 612 563 454 *474 
			 2004(b) *229 262 342 467 581 632 587 465 *459 
			 2004(c) *225 260 336 458 569 624 581 469 *450 
			 2005 217 264 340 468 596 651 607 497 *500 
			 2006(d) 203 277 348 475 616 687 635 537 *559 
			 2006(e) 204 276 347 473 613 683 634 536 *557 
			 2007 217 288 366 483 630 699 653 550 *515 
			 2008 219 295 376 500 652 734 685 571 *551 
			   
			  Full-time Female 
			 1997 *160 172 228 293 342 325 297 255 *251 
			 1998 144 181 241 306 357 337 311 260 *260 
			 1999 165 193 254 322 371 355 326 286 *255 
			 2000 *182 197 262 334 386 370 339 292 *284 
			 2001 191 207 279 362 413 389 358 313 *289 
			 2002 *202 218 288 383 436 410 377 330 259 
			 2003 195 223 292 392 448 427 396 342 *315 
			 2004(b) 197 233 305 410 468 453 420 369 *332 
			 2004(c) 209 230 303 403 463 448 418 369 *313 
			 2005 200 239 313 417 486 469 446 399 *347 
			 2006(d) 218 242 319 426 509 488 465 425 369 
			 2006(e) 220 243 318 424 506 484 461 421 368 
			 2007 *215 253 327 439 521 498 473 436 377 
			 2008 *226 266 338 460 540 519 504 453 398 
			 (a) Employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey pay-period was not affected by absence. (b) 2004 results excluding supplementary survey for comparison with 2003. (c) 2004 results including supplementary surveys designed to improve coverage of the survey (for more information see National Statistics website www.statistics.gov.uk). (d) 2006 results with methodology consistent with 2005. (e) 2006 results with methodology consistent with 2007.  Guide to quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of a figure, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CVfor example, for an average of 200 with a CV of 5 per cent., we would expect the population average to be within the range 180 to 220.  Key: CV= 5% * CV 5% and = 10%  Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Office for National Statistics. 1997-2008

Bowel Cancer

Edward Garnier: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many  (a) men and  (b) women were diagnosed with bowel cancer in each parliamentary constituency in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 17 December 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many (a) men and (b) women were diagnosed with bowel cancer in each UK parliamentary constituency in each of the last five years for which figures are available.
	The latest available figures for newly diagnosed cases of cancer (incidence) are for the year 2006 for England and Wales, and the year 2005 for Scotland and Northern Ireland. Table 1 showing the numbers of newly diagnosed cases of bowel cancer for (a) men, and Table 2 for (b) women, in each UK parliamentary constituency for the years 2001 to 2005, and in each parliamentary constituency in England and Wales for 2006, have been placed in the House of Commons Library.

Census

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the timetable for the Census rehearsal is.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated December 2008:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking what the timetable for the Census rehearsal is.(246060)
	The rehearsal for the Census in England and Wales will take place on 11 October 2009 in some 61,000 households in Lancaster, 40,000 in Newham and 34,000 in the Isle of Anglesey.
	The aims of the rehearsal are to rehearse the field operations and processing activities for a defined set of addresses; to pilot and evaluate all aspects of the 2011 Census design; to identify aspects for improvement and to develop effective ways of working with local authorities, community groups and other stakeholders.
	We are already working closely with the local authorities in these areas to establish effective ways of working together in preparation for 2011 and are currently developing form-tracking and operational systems. Address checking in rehearsal areas begins in February and will continue until the end of April. The award of the contract for recruitment, payment and training of field staff is expected at the end of March. Publicity in rehearsal areas will be launched in April. In June the rehearsal questionnaires will be printed and field staff training will begin. Delivery of questionnaires, primarily by post-out but by hand in some areas and to communal establishments will start in September. Also in September the on line facility and contact centre will be available. Although the rehearsal is voluntary, some of the follow-up procedures will be rehearsed and this will begin soon after 11 October.
	The questionnaires to be used in the 2009 rehearsal have recently been released and are available on the website at
	http://www.ons.gov.uk/census/2011-census/2011-census-questionnaire-content/2009-rehearsal-questionnaire/index.html

Charities: Economic Situation

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment his Department has made of the effect on charitable bodies of the economic downturn.

Kevin Brennan: On 24 November, the Minister for the third sector co-chaired a summit on the impact of the downturn on the third sector, including charitable bodies, at which a number of the key third sector representative bodies provided information. A summary of this discussion is available on the Office of the Third Sector website
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/101516/summit_summary.pdf.

Charities: Economic Situation

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps the Government is taking to support charities in the economic downturn.

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps the Government is taking to support charities during the economic downturn.

Kevin Brennan: On 24 November, the Minister for the third sector co-chaired a summit with NCVO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations) on the impact of the downturn on the third sector. At the summit, the Minister announced plans to publish a Government action plan in the new year. The action plan will embed a response to the downturn across the OTS' existing activities and work across Government to develop responses to remaining unmet needs.

Charities: Finance

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps his Department is taking to ensure that charities receive money donated through street fundraisers.

Kevin Brennan: Effective public fundraising is important for the charity sector. Professional fundraisers are required to make a statement indicating that they are paid, when fundraising from members of the public. The Charities Act 2006 has strengthened this requirement, and professional fundraisers must now also state the amount of remuneration they receive in connection with an appeal. It also provides for a new licensing regime for public charitable collections and the Office of the Third Sector has announced plans to undertake independent research into the costs and benefits of implementing this regime.

Civil Service: Pensions

Julian Brazier: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what procedures will be applied to overpayments of pensions to former civil servants.

Liam Byrne: I refer the hon. Member to the written statement I made to the House on 16 December.
	My statement explained that the Government would not be seeking to recover any pension overpayments, arising from the incorrect indexation of Guaranteed Minimum Pensions, made to former civil servants or other public service pensioners. It also set out the Government's intention to correct pensions in April, when pensions increase is applied to civil service and other public service pensions.

Commission for the Compact

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what role the Commission for the Compact has in relation to local government.

Kevin Brennan: The Commission for the Compact is responsible for overseeing the operation of the Compact at both national and local levels. It works with all stakeholders, including local government, promoting partnership working through the Compact. All top tier local authority areas have a Local Compact in place. The Commission's role is to increase awareness, share good practice and carry out research, looking at key themes that affect the relationship between the statutory and voluntary sector.
	The Office of the Third Sector is taking forward the recommendations from the recent debate on the future of the Compact. As well as a refresh of the Compact, and putting the Commission on a statutory footing, the Commission's board will be enlarged so that it is more representative. This will include local government representation.

Death: Carbon Monoxide

Mike Hancock: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many people died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning in  (a) the UK and  (b) Portsmouth in the last 10 years.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, 16 December 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many people died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning in  (a) the UK and  (b) Portsmouth in the last 10 years. (244508)
	The attached table provides the number of deaths where the toxic effect of carbon monoxide was the cause of death for people in  (a) the UK and  (b) Portsmouth, from 1998 to 2007 (the latest year available).
	
		
			  Table 1: Number of deaths with a cause of carbon monoxide poisoning( 1,2 ) and Portsmouth( 3)  1998 to 2007( 4) 
			   Deaths (persons) 
			   UK  Portsmouth 
			 1998 828 1 
			 1999 800 5 
			 2000 662 1 
			 2001 568 1 
			 2002 503 4 
			 2003 425 1 
			 2004 404 2 
			 2005 302 1 
			 2006 302 0 
			 2007 281 2 
			 (1) Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) code 986 for the years 1997 to 2000, and Tenth Revision (ICD-10) code T58 for 2001 onwards, for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and ICD-9 for the years 1997 to 1999 and ICD-10 for the years 2000 to 2006 for Scotland. (2) Figures for Scotland and Northern Ireland have been provided by the Registrars General for these countries. (3 )Based on boundaries as of 2008. (4) Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year.

Death: Weather

Norman Lamb: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many excess deaths from cold weather there were in each parliamentary constituency in England in each year since 1996-97.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated December 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many excess deaths from cold weather there were in England in each constituency in each year since 1996-97. (240532)
	Estimates of excess winter deaths are based on the difference between the number of deaths during the four winter months (December to March) and the average number of deaths during the preceding four months (August to November) and the following four months (April to July). It is not possible to say whether these deaths were related to cold weather. The table provides the number of excess winter deaths in each parliamentary constituency in England, 1996/97 to 2005/06 (the latest available). A copy has been placed in the House of Commons Library.

Death: Weather

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on what date statistical data will next be published on excess winter deaths; and if he will make a statement.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated December 2008:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking on what date statistical data will next be published on excess winter deaths. (246098)
	Currently, ONS publishes excess winter mortality figures in November each year. The most recent excess winter mortality figures for England and Wales were published on 27th November, which included final figures for winter 2006/07 and provisional figures for winter 2007/08.(1) The date for next year's publication has still to be fixed.
	ONS also publishes weekly estimates of the numbers of deaths registered in England and Wales. These can be found on the National Statistics website at:
	www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=9684
	(1) Office for National Statistics (2008). Report: Excess winter mortality in England and Wales, 2007/08 (provisional) and 2006/07 (final). Health Statistics Quarterly 40, 66-76

Departmental Contracts

Graham Allen: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster with how many faith-based organisations his Department has contracts to provide public services.

Kevin Brennan: In making contracts for the provision of public services, my Department selects those organisations that meet the proper criteria and have the most relevant expertise and experience to offer. The extent to which such organisations are faith-based is not evident in every case. An accurate total or comprehensive list could therefore be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Furniture

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  how much was spent by the Prime Minister's Office on furniture made by  (a) British firms,  (b) Remploy and  (c) overseas firms in each year since 2000;
	(2)  how much was spent by his Department on furniture made by  (a) British firms,  (b) Remploy and  (c) overseas firms in each year since 2000.

Kevin Brennan: The Prime Minister's Office forms an integral part of the Cabinet Office.
	The information requested is not held centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Gifts

John Redwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many staff members in his Department have received gifts valued at 100 or higher in the course of their duties in each of the last three years; what these gifts were; and from whom they were received.

Kevin Brennan: The rules and guidance on receipt of gifts by civil servants are set out in the Civil Service Management Code, and in departmental staff handbooks.
	The information requested is not held centrally in my Department and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Official Hospitality

David Simpson: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what records his Department maintains of its expenditure on  (a) official hospitality and  (b) alcohol for official hospitality.

Kevin Brennan: Expenditure on official hospitality including alcohol is recorded on the Cabinet Office Resource Accounting System.
	All Cabinet Office expenditure on official hospitality is made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on principles set out in Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety.
	Any proposal to purchase alcohol for hospitality purposes requires the prior approval of the Cabinet Office Finance Director.

Departmental Official Residences

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what arrangements are in place for the procurement of services for official Ministerial residences in Downing Street; and if he will make a statement.

Kevin Brennan: The procurement of facilities services across the Cabinet Office estate is provided by the total facilities management provider for the Cabinet Office. Some cleaning services are provided by Cabinet Office staff.

Departmental Work Experience

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many individuals have worked in his Department on  (a) paid and  (b) unpaid work experience or internships in each of the past three years; on average how many hours a week were worked by such people in each year; what types of work each was involved in; what proportion were in full-time education; what proportion did not complete their set period of work experience; and how much those who received remuneration were paid on average per week in each year.

Tom Watson: The Cabinet Office encourages managers to support applications from students, postgraduates and others in the wider community wishing to undertake work experience. The Cabinet Office does not keep any central records of individuals undertaking work experience and the information could be collected only at disproportionate cost.

Disclosure of Information

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on how many occasions in each of the last four years the Government has sought the assistance of the police to investigate unauthorised disclosures of information under  (a) the Official Secrets Act and  (b) the offence of misconduct in a public office; and how many of those investigations resulted in (i) dismissals, (ii) other disciplinary measures, (iii) prosecutions and (iv) convictions.

Liam Byrne: Departments will seek the assistance of the police where they consider a criminal offence may have been committed. It is for the police, not Departments, to determine whether an investigation is carried out and what the potential criminal offence justifying an investigation is. The procedures when police get involved were set out by the Cabinet Secretary in his note to PASC, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.
	It would not be appropriate to provide information about investigations that are still open. It is however a matter of public record that there have been three successful prosecutions under the Official Secrets Act: David Keogh (2007); Richard Jackson (2008); and, Corporal Daniel James (2008). Corporal James was also successfully prosecuted for Misconduct in Public Office.

Employment

James Clappison: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many  (a) UK nationals,  (b) UK-born people,  (c) foreign nationals,  (d) non-UK EU nationals and  (e) non-EU nationals of working age were in employment in each workforce sector in (i) each of the last four quarters and (ii) each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; and if he will also express such numbers as a proportion of the workforce in each sector in each period.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated January 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many (a) UK nationals, (b) UK-born people, (c) foreign nationals, (d) non-UK EU nationals and (e) non-EU nationals of working age were in employment in each workforce sector in (i) each of the last four quarters and (ii) each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; and if he will also express such numbers as a proportion of the workforce in each sector in each period. (246179)
	The requested information is shown in the attached tables.
	Workforce Jobs estimates compiled from employer surveys are the preferred source for breakdowns of employment by industrial sector. However, in order to provide the nationality and country of birth breakdown requested, the Labour Force Survey (LFS) has been used.
	The industry definitions used to answer this question should not be compared with the public/private breakdown given in your parliamentary question 246180.
	As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	The figures in the table are derived from the LFS microdata, which are weighted using the official population estimates published in autumn 2007. Consequently, the estimates from Q3 2006 are not entirely consistent with the figures published in the monthly Labour Market Statistics First Release, or the migrant worker figures published every quarter, which are weighted using more up-to-date population estimates.
	
		
			  Employment levels and percentage( 1)  working in each workforce sector for working-age( 2 ) people by nationality and country of birth, United Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted 
			  Thousands and  p ercentages 
			   Agriculture, Fishing, Energy and Water( 3) 
			   UK  n ationals  UK born  Non-UK nationals( 4)  Non-UK EU national( 5)  Non-EU nationals 
			   Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage 
			 1999 Q3 677 98 666 97 12 2 * * * * 
			 2000 Q3 671 98 658 96 16 2 * * * * 
			 2001 Q3 668 98 653 96 16 2 * * * * 
			 2002 Q3 653 98 635 95 14 2 * * * * 
			 2003 Q3 623 98 609 96 10 2 * * * * 
			 2004 Q3 632 98 619 96 13 2 * * * * 
			 2005 Q3 627 98 609 95 14 2 * * * * 
			 2006 Q3 626 96 611 94 23 4 * * * * 
			 2007 Q3 659 96 642 93 30 4 * * * * 
			 2007 Q4 668 95 654 93 38 5 * * * * 
			 2008 Q1 645 94 631 92 41 6 * * * * 
			 2008 Q2 659 94 645 92 44 6 * * * * 
			 2008 Q3(6) *657 94 *640 92 ***40 6 * * * * 
		
	
	
		
			  Thousands and percentages 
			   Manufacturing 
			   UK  n ationals  UK born  Non-UK nationals( 4)  Non-UK EU national( 5)  Non-EU nationals 
			   Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage 
			 1999 Q3 4,609 97 4,435 94 131 3 45 1 86 2 
			 2000 Q3 4,385 97 4,241 94 138 3 50 1 88 2 
			 2001 Q3 4,242 97 4,088 93 142 3 61 1 81 2 
			 2002 Q3 4,120 97 3,970 93 144 3 50 1 94 2 
			 2003 Q3 3,812 97 3,671 93 136 3 48 1 87 2 
			 2004 Q3 3,628 96 3,500 92 168 4 73 2 95 2 
			 2005 Q3 3,520 95 3,371 91 182 5 89 2 93 3 
			 2006 Q3 3,416 93 3,282 90 239 7 126 3 113 3 
			 2007 Q3 3,359 92 3,198 88 291 8 179 5 112 3 
			 2007 Q4 3,309 92 3,147 87 290 8 184 5 106 3 
			 2008 Q1 3,234 92 3,079 88 280 8 176 5 104 3 
			 2008 Q2 3,166 92 3,022 88 285 8 178 5 107 3 
			 2008 Q3(6) *3,146 92 *3,002 88 **271 8 **166 5 ***105 3 
		
	
	
		
			  Thousands and percentages 
			   Construction 
			   UK  n ationals  UK born  Non-UK nationals( 4)  Non-UK EU national( 5)  Non-EU nationals 
			   Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage 
			 1999 Q3 1,811 97 1,775 95 55 3 36 2 19 1 
			 2000 Q3 1,889 97 1,853 95 52 3 33 2 19 1 
			 2001 Q3 1,958 98 1,918 96 48 2 29 1 20 1 
			 2002 Q3 1,944 97 1,903 95 63 3 29 1 34 2 
			 2003 Q3 2,092 97 2,055 95 72 3 29 1 44 2 
			 2004 Q3 2,124 96 2,077 94 85 4 55 3 30 1 
			 2005 Q3 2,199 96 2,158 94 96 4 55 2 42 2 
			 2006 Q3 2,205 95 2,160 93 118 5 69 3 49 2 
			 2007 Q3 2,235 95 2,182 92 124 5 85 4 39 2 
			 2007 Q4 2,209 94 2,157 92 137 6 101 4 36 2 
			 2008 Q1 2,186 93 2,127 91 159 7 117 5 41 2 
			 2008 Q2 2,171 94 2,115 91 144 6 100 4 44 2 
			 2008 Q3(6) *2,252 94 *2,200 91 **154 6 ***112 5 ***41 2 
		
	
	
		
			  Thousands and percentages 
			   Distribution, hotels and restaurants 
			   UK  n ationals  UK born  Non-UK nationals( 4)  Non-UK EU national( 5)  Non-EU nationals 
			   Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage 
			 1999 Q3 5,036 96 4,812 91 225 4 83 2 142 3 
			 2000 Q3 5,016 95 4,786 91 246 5 89 2 158 3 
			 2001 Q3 4,953 95 4,739 91 280 5 100 2 180 3 
			 2002 Q3 5,042 95 4,796 90 292 5 95 2 196 4 
			 2003 Q3 5,165 94 4,891 89 316 6 105 2 211 4 
			 2004 Q3 5,137 94 4,884 89 320 6 114 2 207 4 
			 2005 Q3 5,014 94 4,757 89 340 6 124 2 216 4 
			 2006 Q3 4,934 92 4,662 87 419 8 158 3 260 5 
			 2007 Q3 4,854 92 4,594 87 444 8 195 4 249 5 
			 2007 Q4 4,893 91 4,626 86 477 9 195 4 282 5 
			 2008 Q1 4,893 91 4,634 86 470 9 211 4 259 5 
			 2008 Q2 4,848 91 4,576 86 490 9 217 4 273 5 
			 2008 Q3(6) *4,875 90 *4,592 85 **515 10 **215 4 **300 6 
		
	
	
		
			  Thousands and percentages 
			   Transport and communication 
			   UK nationals  UK born  Non-UK nationals( 4)  Non-UK EU national( 5)  Non-EU nationals 
			   Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage 
			 1999 Q3 1,753 96 1,672 92 69 4 28 2 41 2 
			 2000 Q3 1,823 95 1,744 91 92 5 36 2 56 3 
			 2001 Q3 1,866 96 1,770 91 80 4 33 2 47 2 
			 2002 Q3 1,820 95 1,715 90 91 5 34 2 57 3 
			 2003 Q3 1,780 95 1,690 90 92 5 36 2 57 3 
			 2004 Q3 1,781 95 1,673 89 94 5 33 2 61 3 
			 2005 Q3 1,832 94 1,708 88 112 6 51 3 61 3 
			 2006 Q3 1,786 93 1,675 87 134 7 62 3 72 4 
			 2007 Q3 1,759 92 1,631 85 152 8 79 4 73 4 
			 2007 Q4 1,741 92 1,607 85 140 7 76 4 64 3 
			 2008 Q1 1,756 91 1,618 84 171 9 87 4 84 4 
			 2008 Q2 1,749 91 1,609 84 164 9 88 5 77 4 
			 2008 Q3(6) *1,792 92 *1,650 85 **147 8 ***79 4 ***68 4 
		
	
	
		
			  Thousands and percentages 
			   Banking, finance and insurance 
			   UK nationals  UK born  Non-UK nationals( 4)  Non-UK EU national( 5)  Non-EU nationals 
			   Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage 
			 1999 Q3 3,879 95 3,688 91 186 5 74 2 113 3 
			 2000 Q3 3,994 95 3,816 90 227 5 84 2 142 3 
			 2001 Q3 4,041 94 3,853 89 264 6 98 2 166 4 
			 2002 Q3 4,030 93 3,827 89 283 7 104 2 179 4 
			 2003 Q3 4,016 94 3,798 88 279 6 102 2 177 4 
			 2004 Q3 3,990 93 3,783 88 286 7 99 2 187 4 
			 2005 Q3 4,099 93 3,875 88 320 7 135 3 185 4 
			 2006 Q3 4,087 92 3,865 87 357 8 119 3 238 5 
			 2007 Q3 4,266 91 4,001 86 411 9 167 4 244 5 
			 2007 Q4 4,261 91 3,997 85 443 9 173 4 271 6 
			 2008 Q1 4,175 90 3,931 84 481 10 198 4 283 6 
			 2008 Q2 4,183 89 3,938 84 491 11 210 4 281 6 
			 2008 Q3(6) *4,159 90 *3,916 84 **485 10 **195 4 **289 6 
		
	
	continued
	
		
			  Thousands and percentages 
			   Public administration, education and health 
			   UK  n ationals  UK born  Non-UK nationals( 4)  Non-UK EU national( 5)  Non-EU nationals 
			   Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage 
			 1999 Q3 6,234 96 5,959 92 239 4 112 2 127 2 
			 2000 Q3 6,401 96 6,123 92 269 4 106 2 163 2 
			 2001 Q3 6,518 96 6,236 92 278 4 103 2 175 3 
			 2002 Q3 6,677 95 6,375 91 315 5 111 2 204 3 
			 2003 Q3 6,902 95 6,588 91 369 5 117 2 252 3 
			 2004 Q3 7,238 95 6,901 90 402 5 133 2 269 4 
			 2005 Q3 7,379 94 7,039 90 455 6 160 2 296 4 
			 2006 Q3 7,360 94 6,997 89 481 6 154 2 327 4 
			 2007 Q3 7,244 93 6,868 89 501 6 175 2 326 4 
			 2007 Q4 7,328 94 6,952 89 489 6 178 2 312 4 
			 2008 Q1 7,358 94 6,968 89 502 6 176 2 326 4 
			 2008 Q2 7,447 94 7,042 88 512 6 177 2 335 4 
			 2008 Q3(6) *7,363 93 *6,971 88 **538 7 **191 2 **346 4 
		
	
	
		
			  Thousands and percentages 
			   Other services 
			   UK nationals  UK born  Non-UK nationals( 4)  Non-UK EU national( 5)  Non-EU nationals 
			   Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage 
			 1999 Q3 1,476 95 1,425 91 83 5 34 2 49 3 
			 2000 Q3 1,482 94 1,425 90 100 6 38 2 61 4 
			 2001 Q3 1,467 94 1,421 91 101 6 35 2 67 4 
			 2002 Q3 1,504 94 1,454 91 95 6 31 2 64 4 
			 2003 Q3 1,557 94 1,504 91 97 6 32 2 65 4 
			 2004 Q3 1,530 94 1,462 90 93 6 41 3 52 3 
			 2005 Q3 1,545 95 1,479 90 89 5 36 2 53 3 
			 2006 Q3 1,612 92 1,540 88 131 8 53 3 78 4 
			 2007 Q3 1,566 92 1,508 88 140 8 69 4 71 4 
			 2007 Q4 1,562 91 1,504 88 144 8 79 5 65 4 
			 2008 Q1 1,545 92 1,483 88 141 8 79 5 62 4 
			 2008 Q2 1,574 93 1,510 89 122 7 68 4 54 3 
			 2008 Q3(6) *1,595 93 *1,524 89 ***119 7 ***60 3 ***59 3 
			 * The estimates have been suppressed as they are deemed unreliable for practical purposes. (1) The percentages show the associated levels expressed as a proportion of the total number of working-age people (including those who did not state their nationality or country of birth) working in each workforce sector. (2) Men aged 16 to 64 and women aged 16 to 59. (3) The industry sector Agriculture and Fishing has been grouped with Energy and Water due to small sample sizes. (4) Excludes those whose nationality was not known. (5) The A8 (Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia) joined the EU on 1 May 2004 and are included from 2004 Q3 onwards. Bulgaria and Romania joined the EU on 1 January 2007 and are included from 2007 Q1 onwards. (6) Coefficients of Variation have been calculated for the latest period as an indication of the quality of the estimates, as described as follows:  Guide to Quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CVfor example, for an estimate of 200 with a CV of 5 per cent. we would expect the population total to be within the range 180 to 220  Key Coefficient of Variation (CV)  (%) Statistical robustness * 0 = CV 5 Estimates are considered precise. ** 5 = CV 10 Estimates are considered reasonably precise. *** 10 = CV  20 Estimates are considered acceptable. **** CV = 20 Estimates are considered too unreliable for practical purposes.  Note: It should be noted that the aforementioned estimates exclude people in most types of communal establishment (e.g. hotels, boarding houses, hostels, mobile home sites etc.).  Source: Labour Force Survey

Employment

James Clappison: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many  (a) UK nationals,  (b) UK-born people,  (c) foreign nationals,  (d) non-UK EU nationals and  (e) non-EU nationals of working age were in employment in (i) the public sector and (ii) the private sector in each of (A) the last four quarters and (B) the last 10 years for which figures are available; and if he will also express such numbers as a proportion of each sector in each case.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated January 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many (a) UK nationals, (b) UK-born people, (c) foreign nationals, (d) non-UK EU nationals and (e) non-EU nationals of working age were in employment in (i) the public sector and (ii) the private sector in each of (A) the last four quarters and (B) the last 10 years for which figures are available; and if he will also express such numbers as a proportion of each sector in each case. (246180)
	The requested information is shown in the attached tables.
	The estimates are derived from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) in order to provide the breakdowns by nationality and country of birth. These estimates are based on the respondents' views about the organisation for which they work. They do not correspond to official Public Sector Employment estimates, which come directly from surveys of employers and are based on National Accounts definitions.
	The public sector definition used to answer this question should not be compared with the industry sector breakdown given in your parliamentary question 246179.
	As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	The figures in the table are derived from the LFS microdata, which are weighted using the official population estimates published in autumn 2007. Consequently, the estimates from Q3 2006 are not entirely consistent with the figures published in the monthly Labour Market Statistics First Release, or the migrant worker figures published every quarter, which are weighted using more up-to-date population estimates.
	
		
			  Employment levels and percentage( 1)  working in each sector for working-age( 2)  people by nationality and country of birth, United Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted 
			  Thousands and Percentages 
			   Public Sector 
			   UK Nationals  UK born  Non-UK nationals( 3)  Non-UK EU national( 4)  Non-EU nationals 
			   Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage 
			 1999 Q3 5,723 96 5,484 92 218 4 93 2 125 2 
			 2000 Q3 5,847 96 5,615 92 239 4 93 2 146 2 
			 2001 Q3 5,850 96 5,597 92 234 4 76 1 157 3 
			 2002 Q3 5,993 96 5,730 92 261 4 94 2 167 3 
			 2003 Q3 6,056 95 5,785 91 289 5 92 1 197 3 
			 2004 Q3 6,311 95 6,026 91 321 5 111 2 209 3 
			 2005 Q3 6,399 95 6,117 90 364 5 132 2 232 3 
			 2006 Q3 6,352 95 6,056 90 355 5 114 2 241 4 
			 2007 Q3 6,214 94 5,900 90 367 6 136 2 231 4 
			 2007 Q4 6,305 94 5,979 90 367 5 148 2 218 3 
			 2008 Q1 6,299 94 5,970 89 384 6 136 2 249 4 
			 2008 Q2 6,349 94 6,025 90 375 6 138 2 236 4 
			 2008 Q3(5) *6,293 94 *5,973 90 **373 6 ***134 2 **238 4 
			  Source: Labour Force Survey 
		
	
	
		
			   Private Sector 
			   UK Nationals  UK born  Non-UK nationals( 3)  Non-UK EU national( 4)  Non-EU nationals 
			   Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage  Level  Percentage 
			 1999 Q3 19,683 96 18,882 92 788 4 329 2 459 2 
			 2000 Q3 19,751 96 18,967 92 900 4 352 2 548 3 
			 2001 Q3 19,803 95 19,024 92 975 5 388 2 587 3 
			 2002 Q3 19,740 95 18,888 91 1,035 5 365 2 671 3 
			 2003 Q3 19,807 95 18,939 91 1,075 5 380 2 695 3 
			 2004 Q3 19,705 95 18,832 90 1,139 5 440 2 699 3 
			 2005 Q3 19,774 94 18,836 90 1,249 6 522 2 726 3 
			 2006 Q3 19,639 93 18,702 88 1,547 7 635 3 912 4 
			 2007 Q3 19,688 92 18,681 87 1,731 8 830 4 900 4 
			 2007 Q4 19,618 92 18,617 87 1,795 8 859 4 936 4 
			 2008 Q1 19,447 91 18,457 87 1,853 9 925 4 928 4 
			 2008 Q2 19,404 91 18,388 86 1,872 9 917 4 955 4 
			 2008 Q3(5) *19,513 91 *18,493 86 *1,895 9 *906 4 *988 5 
			 (1) The percentages show the associated levels expressed as a proportion of the total number of working-age people (including those who did not state their nationality or country of birth) working in each sector. (2) Men aged 16-64 and women aged 16-59. (3) Excludes those whose nationality was not known. (4) The A8 (Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia) joined the EU on 1 May 2004 and are included from 2004 Q3 onwards. Bulgaria and Romania joined the EU on 1 January 2007 and are included from 2007 Q1 onwards. (5) Coefficients of Variation have been calculated for the latest period as an indication of the quality of the estimates, as described below: Guide to Quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV - for example, for an estimate of 200 with a CV of 5 per cent. we would expect the population total to be within the range 180-220.  Key Coefficient of Variation (CV)  (%) Statistical robustness * 0 = CV 5 Estimates are considered precise. ** 5 = CV 10 Estimates are considered reasonably precise. *** 10 = CV  20 Estimates are considered acceptable. **** CV = 20 Estimates are considered too unreliable for practical purposes.  Note: It should be noted that the above estimates exclude people in most types of communal establishment (e.g. hotels, boarding houses, hostels, mobile home sites etc).  Source: Labour Force Survey

Employment

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the  (a) employment and  (b) unemployment rate for (i) women, (ii) men and (iii) people aged (A) 16 to 24, (B) 25 to 34, (C) 35 to 49 and (D) 50 to 60 years educated to degree level was in each month of the last 10 years.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated January 2009:
	As National Statistician, 1 have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what the (a) employment and (b) unemployment rate for (i) women, (ii) men and (iii) men and women aged (A) 16 to 24, (B) 25 to 34, (C) 35 to 49 and (D) 50 to 60 years educated to degree level was in each month of the last 10 years. (246577)
	The attached tables provide estimated employment and unemployment rates for the age categories requested based on those educated to at least degree level or equivalent, for each quarter since 1998. Monthly data are not available.
	The estimates are derived from the Labour Force Survey (LPS). As with any sample survey, estimates from the LPS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	The figures have been derived from the LFS microdata which are weighted using the official population estimates published in autumn 2007. Consequently, the figures from quarter 3 2006 are not entirely consistent with the figures published in the monthly Labour Market Statistics First Release which are weighted using more up-to-date population estimates.
	
		
			  Employment rates( 1) , by age and gender for those educat ed to degree level or equivalent c alendar quarters, 1998 to 2008, United Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted 
			   Men  Women  People 
			   16 to 24  25 to 34  35 to 49  50 to 60  16 to 24  25 to 34  35 to 49  50 to 60  16 to 24  25 to 34  35 to 49  50 to 60 
			  1998 
			 Q1 76 93 96 84 80 86 86 81 78 90 92 83 
			 Q2 75 93 96 85 79 87 85 80 77 90 91 83 
			 Q3 75 94 95 84 77 87 84 78 75 89 91 83 
			 Q4 77 93 96 85 77 87 85 79 77 90 91 83 
			  1999 
			 Q1 80 93 96 85 80 88 86 78 80 91 92 83 
			 Q2 79 94 96 84 79 88 86 80 79 91 92 83 
			 Q3 75 94 95 84 77 87 84 78 76 91 90 82 
			 Q4 80 95 96 84 83 87 85 79 82 91 91 83 
			  2000 
			 Q1 83 95 96 84 81 88 86 81 82 91 91 83 
			 Q2 82 95 96 86 81 88 85 82 81 92 92 84 
			 Q3 76 95 96 85 77 88 86 81 77 92 92 84 
			 Q4 79 95 96 87 80 89 87 83 80 92 92 85 
			  2001 
			 Q1 79 94 96 87 82 88 86 82 81 91 92 85 
			 Q2 80 93 96 67 82 88 87 82 80 91 91 85 
			 Q3 75 93 96 86 78 87 86 81 77 90 91 84 
			 Q4 81 93 94 86 82 88 86 83 82 91 91 85 
			  2002 
			 Q1 78 93 95 87 82 89 86 83 80 91 91 85 
			 Q2 77 94 95 86 83 88 86 82 80 91 91 85 
			 Q3 73 93 95 86 77 88 85 83 75 90 90 85 
			 Q4 79 93 95 86 80 88 85 81 80 91 91 84 
			  2003 
			 Q1 76 93 95 85 78 88 86 82 77 90 91 84 
			 Q2 77 93 95 88 80 88 86 81 78 91 91 85 
			 Q3 76 93 94 86 75 87 85 80 75 90 90 84 
			 Q4 74 92 95 86 80 89 86 81 77 91 91 84 
			  2004 
			 Q1 81 93 94 85 80 89 86 82 81 91 91 84 
			 Q2 82 93 95 86 80 90 86 83 81 91 91 85 
			 Q3 75 93 95 85 76 87 85 82 76 90 91 84 
			 Q4 77 93 95 85 79 88 87 83 78 91 92 84 
			  2005 
			 Q1 81 94 95 85 78 87 87 83 79 91 92 85 
			 Q2 77 93 95 86 81 88 88 85 79 90 92 85 
			 Q3 73 93 95 85 77 88 88 84 75 90 92 85 
			 Q4 77 94 95 85 81 88 87 82 79 91 91 84 
			  2006 
			 Q1 79 93 95 85 83 88 87 84 82 91 91 85 
			 Q2 77 93 95 86 82 89 87 83 80 91 91 85 
			 Q3 73 94 95 85 78 88 85 84 77 91 91 83 
			 Q4 75 94 95 86 78 87 87 82 77 90 91 84 
			  2007 
			 Q1 78 93 95 85 80 88 87 84 79 91 91 84 
			 Q2 78 94 95 85 81 89 86 84 80 91 91 84 
			 Q3 73 94 95 85 78 88 85 84 76 91 90 85 
			 Q4 80 94 96 86 80 89 86 83 80 92 91 85 
			  2008 
			 Q1 80 93 96 86 80 89 85 82 80 91 91 84 
			 Q2 77 94 95 86 79 89 86 81 78 91 91 84 
			 Q3 70 93 95 85 76 87 86 81 74 90 90 83 
			 (1) Employment rate is calculated as the number of people in employment as a percentage of the population in the individual category.  Note: The estimates exclude people in most types of communal establishment (e.g. hotels, boarding houses, hostels, mobile home sites etc)  Source: Labour Force Survey 
		
	
	
		
			  Unemployment rates( 1) , by age and gender for those educated to degree level or equivalent, calendar quarters, 1998 to 2008, United Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted 
			   Men  Women  People 
			   16 to 24  25 to 34  35 to 49  50 to 60  16 to 24  25 to 34  35 to 49  50 to 60  16 to 24  25 to 34  35 to 49  50 to 60 
			  1998 
			 Q1 9 3 2 3 7 4 2 3 8 3 2 3 
			 Q2 9 2 2 4 8 3 3 3 8 3 2 3 
			 Q3 16 4 2 3 12 4 4 3 14 4 3 3 
			 Q4 12 3 2 4 7 3 3 3 9 3 2 3 
			  1999 
			 Q1 8 3 2 3 5 3 3 3 6 3 2 3 
			 Q2 7 2 2 2 5 2 3 3 6 2 2 2 
			 Q3 12 3 2 3 10 3 3 3 11 3 3 3 
			 Q4 7 2 2 4 5 3 3 4 6 3 2 4 
			  2000 
			 Q1 7 2 2 4 6 3 2 3 7 3 2 4 
			 Q2 6 2 1 3 3 2 2 3 5 2 2 3 
			 Q3 11 2 2 3 11 3 3 2 11 2 2 3 
			 Q4 11 3 1 3 8 2 2 1 9 2 2 2 
			  2001 
			 Q1 8 2 2 2 4 2 2 2 6 2 2 2 
			 Q2 6 3 2 2 5 2 2 1 6 3 2 2 
			 Q3 14 3 2 2 10 3 2 3 12 3 2 3 
			 Q4 9 3 3 3 6 3 2 2 7 3 3 2 
			  2002 
			 Q1 9 4 3 2 6 2 2 2 7 3 3 2 
			 Q2 9 3 2 3 4 3 2 1 6 3 2 2 
			 Q3 16 4 3 3 12 3 3 1 14 4 3 3 
			 Q4 10 3 2 3 5 2 2 2 7 3 2 3 
			  2003 
			 Q1 11 3 2 4 5 2 3 2 8 3 3 3 
			 Q2 9 3 3 2 4 2 2 2 7 3 2 2 
			 Q3 14 3 3 3 12 2 3 2 13 3 3 3 
			 Q4 11 3 2 3 6 2 2 3 9 3 2 3 
			  2004 
			 Q1 7 3 2 4 6 2 2 2 7 3 2 3 
			 Q2 6 3 2 2 4 1 2 2 5 2 2 2 
			 Q3 12 3 2 2 10 3 2 2 11 3 2 2 
			 Q4 10 3 1 2 6 2 2 2 8 2 2 2 
			  2005 
			 Q1 7 2 2 3 7 3 2 2 7 2 2 2 
			 Q2 9 3 2 2 4 2 1 2 6 2 2 2 
			 Q3 12 2 2 3 9 3 2 1 6 2 2 2 
			 Q4 10 2 2 3 7 3 2 2 10 2 2 2 
			  2006 
			 Q1 7 3 2 2 5 3 2 2 6 3 2 2 
			 Q2 9 3 2 2 7 2 2 2 8 3 2 2 
			 Q3 13 2 2 3 12 3 2 2 12 3 2 2 
			 Q4 11 2 2 2 9 3 2 2 10 3 2 2 
			  2007 
			 Q1 9 3 2 2 7 2 2 1 8 2 2 2 
			 Q2 8 2 2 3 6 2 2 2 6 2 2 2 
			 Q3 13 2 2 2 9 2 2 2 11 2 2 2 
			 Q4 8 2 2 3 6 2 2 2 7 2 2 2 
			  2008 
			 Q1 8 2 2 2 6 2 3 2 7 2 2 2 
			 Q2 8 2 2 2 6 2 2 1 7 2 2 2 
			 Q3 17 3 2 3 12 4 2 3 14 3 2 3 
			 (1) Unemployment rate is calculated as the number of people in unemployment as a percentage of the economically active population in the individual category  Note: The estimates exclude people in most types of communal establishment (e.g. hotels, boarding houses, hostels, mobile home sites etc)  Source: Labour Force Survey

Employment

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many  (a) males,  (b) females,  (c) foreign nationals and  (d) individuals have been in (i) public sector employment, (ii) private sector employment and (iii) employment in each year since 1978.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated January 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many (a) males, (b) females, (c) foreign nationals and (d) individuals have been in (i) public sector employment, (ii) private sector employment and (iii) employment in each year since 1978. (246806)
	The available information requested is provided in the attached table. Comparable estimates prior to 1995 are not available.
	The estimates are derived from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). These estimates are based on the respondents' views about the organisation for which they work. They do not correspond to official Public Sector Employment estimates, which come directly from employers and are based on National Accounts definitions.
	As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	The figures have been derived from the LFS microdata which are weighted using the official population estimates published in autumn 2007. Consequently the estimates from Q3 2006 onwards are not entirely consistent with the figures published in the monthly Labour Market Statistics First Release, or the migrant worker figures published every quarter, which are weighted using more up-to-date population estimates.
	
		
			  People aged 16 and over in employment by public and private sector and by sex and nationalitythree month period ending September, 1996 to 2008 ,  United Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted 
			  Thousand 
			   Public sector( 1,2)  Private sector( 1,3)  Employment( 3,4) 
			   Persons  Men  Women  Foreign nationals  Persons  Men  Women  Foreign nationals  Persons  Men  Women  Foreign nationals 
			 1995 6,091 2,455 3,636 206 19,718 11,666 8,051 651 25,998 14,235 11,763 868 
			 1996 6,135 2,395 3,740 203 19,828 11,770 8,058 653 26,200 14,307 11,893 868 
			 1997 6,004 2,260 3,744 220 20,558 12,240 8,318 757 26,707 14,589 12,118 986 
			 1998 6,025 2,310 3,715 220 20,819 12,326 8,493 809 26,969 14,707 12,261 1,036 
			 1999 6,111 2,278 3,833 226 21,109 12,538 8,571 807 27,351 14,897 12,454 1,036 
			  
			 2000 6,254 2,340 3,914 251 21,301 12,612 8,689 921 27,685 15,023 12,662 1,179 
			 2001 6,280 2,294 3,986 245 21,442 12,780 8,662 998 27,839 15,136 12,704 1,249 
			 2002 6,465 2,317 4,148 273 21,451 12,783 8,668 1,055 28,026 15,164 12,862 1,337 
			 2003 6,558 2,375 4,182 298 21,631 12,932 8,698 1,100 28,331 15,381 12,949 1,410 
			 2004 6,853 2,460 4,394 330 21,610 12,969 8,641 1,165 28,583 15,497 13,086 1,507 
			  
			 2005 6,993 2,528 4,464 373 21,853 13,041 8,812 1,275 28,960 15,640 13,319 1,658 
			 2006 6,981 2,504 4,477 367 22,090 13,225 8,866 1,580 29,178 15,794 13,384 1,958 
			 2007 6,869 2,410 4,459 378 22,374 13,437 8,937 1,759 29,382 15,923 13,459 2,152 
			 2008(5) *6,990 *2,475 *4,515 **384 *22,406 *13,388 *9,018 *1,927 *29,533 *15,943 *13,589 *2,323 
			 (1) It should be noted that public and private sector estimates, are based on survey respondents' views about the organisation for which they work; do not correspond to the National Accounts definition used for Public Sector Employment estimates. (2 )Includes nationalised industry or state corporation, central Government, civil service, local government or council (incl. police, fire services and local authority controlled schools or colleges), university or other grant funded educational establishment, health authority or NHS trust and armed forces. (3) Includes self-employed and unpaid family workers. (4) Includes those whose type of employer was not known. (5) Coefficients of Variation have been calculated for the latest period as an indication of the quality of the estimates, as described below.  Guide to Quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CVfor example, for an estimate of 200 with a CV of 5 per cent. we would expect the population total to be within the range 180-220.  Key Coefficient of Variation (CV)  (%) Statistical robustness * 0 = CV 5 Estimates are considered precise. ** 5 = CV 10 Estimates are considered reasonably precise. *** 10 = CV 20 Estimates are considered acceptable. **** CV = 20 Estimates are considered too unreliable for practical purposes.  Note:  It should be noted that the above estimates exclude people in most types of communal establishment (e.g. hotels, boarding houses, hostels, mobile home sites etc.)  Source: Labour Force Survey

Foreign Workers

James Clappison: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what estimate he has made of the number of inward migrants to the UK  (a) from other EU member states and  (b) from non-EU member states intending to stay for 12 months or more who cited work-related purposes as the main reason for migration in each of the last four quarters for which figures are available.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 16 December 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to respond to your question concerning what estimate has been made of the number of inward migrants to the UK (a) from other EU member states and (b) from non-EU member states intending to stay 12 months or more who cited work-related purposes as the main reason for migration in each of the last four quarters for which figures are available. (243965)
	Table 1, attached, gives an estimate of international immigration from other EU member states and non-EU member states for work-related reasons for the latest year available, 2007, by quarter.
	This table is based solely on data from the International Passenger Survey.
	
		
			  Table 1: Migration to the UK for work related reasons, 2007.  International  migration, estimates from the International Passenger Survey. United Kingdom 
			  Thousands 
			  Inflow  Country of last residence 
			  2007  All countries  Other EU27 countries  Non EU27 countries 
			 Q1 54 32 22 
			 Q2 54 29 25 
			 Q3 71 35 36 
			 Q4 51 30 22 
			  Note: Totals may not sum due to rounding

Foreign Workers

James Clappison: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many and what proportion of  (a) UK nationals,  (b) UK-born people,  (c) foreign nationals,  (d) non-UK EU nationals,  (e) EU A8 nationals and  (f) non-EU nationals of working age in the UK were in employment in (i) each year since 1997 and (ii) each of the last eight quarters for which figures are available.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 17 December 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many and what proportion of (a) UK nationals, (b) UK-born people, (c) foreign nationals, (d) non-UK EU nationals, (e) EU A8 nationals and (f) non-EU nationals of working age in the UK were in employment in (i) each year since 1997 and (ii) each of the last eight quarters for which figures are available. 244377
	The requested information is shown in the attached tables. Data for the EU A8 nationals is not available for 1997.
	The estimates are derived from the Labour Force Survey. As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	The figures in the table are derived from the LFS microdata which are weighted using the official population estimates published in autumn 2007. Consequently the estimates from Q3 2006 are not entirely consistent with the figures published in the monthly Labour Market Statistics First Release, or the migrant worker figures published every quarter, which are weighted using more up-to-date population estimates.
	
		
			  Employment rates for working age( 1)  people, by nationality and country of birthQuarter 3 1997 to 2006; all calendar quarters from quarter 4 2006 to quarter 3 2008United Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted 
			  Thousand 
			UK nationals  UK born  Non-UK nationals( 2)  Non-UK EU nationals( 3)  EU A8 nationals( 4)  Non-EU nationals 
			 1997 Q3 24,928 23,954 964 413 n/a 551 
			 1998 Q3 25,185 24,195 1,010 440 17 570 
			 1999 Q3 25,532 24,490 1,009 423 14 587 
			 2000 Q3 25,718 24,700 1,146 447 21 700 
			 2001 Q3 25,764 24,726 1,215 467 31 748 
			 2002 Q3 25,831 24,713 1,304 460 35 844 
			 2003 Q3 25,991 24,847 1,377 475 32 902 
			 2004 Q3 26,122 24,958 1,472 557 82 915 
			 2005 Q3 26,276 25,052 1,623 658 175 965 
			 2006 Q3 26,085 24,849 1,913 753 297 1,160 
			 2006 Q4 25,991 24,744 1,962 828 344 1,134 
			 2007 Q1 25,794 24,529 1,978 897 368 1,080 
			 2007 Q2 25,784 24,508 2,103 969 431 1,134 
			 2007 Q3 26,023 24,694 2,113 969 430 1,144 
			 2007 Q4 26,050 24,718 2,173 1,010 469 1,163 
			 2008 Q1 25,870 24,547 2,254 1,068 500 1,186 
			 2008 Q2 25,882 24,532 2,266 1,065 498 1,201 
			 2008 Q3(5) *25,928 *24,580 *2,279 *1,045 **504 *1,234 
		
	
	
		
			  Percentage 
			UK nationals  UK born  Non-UK nationals( 2)  Non-UK EU nationals( 3)  EU A8 nationals( 4)  Non-EU nationals 
			 1997 Q3 74 74 61 69  56 
			 1998 Q3 75 75 61 70 58 55 
			 1999 Q3 75 75 52 72 53 57 
			 2000 Q3 76 76 62 74 54 56 
			 2001 Q3 75 76 63 72 59 58 
			 2002 Q3 75 76 63 72 62 59 
			 2003 Q3 76 76 64 73 58 61 
			 2004 Q3 76 76 65 73 74 61 
			 2005 Q3 76 76 65 74 81 60 
			 2006 Q3 75 76 69 77 82 65 
			 2006 Q4 75 76 69 77 82 64 
			 2007 Q1 75 75 67 77 81 60 
			 2007 Q2 75 75 68 77 82 62 
			 2007 Q3 75 76 69 78 84 62 
			 2007 Q4 76 76 68 79 84 61 
			 2008 Q1 75 75 69 79 83 62 
			 2008 Q2 75 75 69 79 84 62 
			 2008 Q3 75 76 69 79 84 63 
			 n/a= Data not available (1) Men aged 16-64 and women aged 16-59. (2) Excludes those whose nationality was not known. (3) The A8 joined the EU on 1 May 2004 and are included from 2004 Q3 onwards. Bulgaria and Romania joined the EU on 1 January 2007 and are included from 2007 Q1 onwards. (4) EU A8 comprises Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. (5) Coefficients of Variation have been calculated for the latest period as an indication of the quality of the estimates, as described below:  Guide to Quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CVfor example, for an estimate of 200 with a CV of 5 per cent. we would expect the population total to be within the range 180-220.  Key Coefficient of Variation (CV)  (%) Statistical robustness * 0 = CV 5 Estimates are considered precise. ** 5 = CV 10 Estimates are considered reasonably precise. *** 10 = CV 20 Estimates are considered acceptable. **** CV = 20 Estimates are considered too unreliable for practical purposes.  Note:  It should be noted that the above estimates exclude people in most types of communal establishment (e.g. hotels, boarding houses, hostels, mobile home sites etc.)  Source: Labour Force Survey

Foreign Workers

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) of 19 October 2007,  Official Report, column 1353-5W, on migrant workers, what his most recent estimate of the number of migrant workers in the UK between 1997 and 2012 is.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 12 January 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what the most recent estimate of the number of migrant workers in the UK between 1997 and 2012 is, with reference to the Answer to the hon. Member for Yeovil of 19 October 2007, Official Report, column 1353-5 W. (246719)
	The attached table gives the number of people in employment in the UK of working age, who were either United Kingdom or foreign born, for the three month period ending September, for each year from 1997 to 2008. Projections of migrant workers to 2012 are not available from either the Labour Force Survey (LFS) or the National Population Projections.
	When interpreting the figures in the table, it is important to bear in mind the points made in my 19 October 2007 letter about the LFS sampling frame, definitions, coverage and how the survey results are weighted.
	The figures in the table differ from those given previously as follows: the survey results are weighted to Autumn 2007 population estimates instead of 2003 population estimates; estimates are provided for 1998 and 2000 as a result of this re-weighting, whereas these estimates were previously unavailable; the three months ending in September have been supplied, as opposed to the three months ending in June, because this gives the most up to date estimate in 2008.
	The estimates from Q3 2006 onwards are not entirely consistent with the figures published in the monthly Labour Market Statistics First Release, or the migrant worker figures published every quarter, which are weighted using more up-to-date population estimates.
	As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	
		
			  Table 1: Number of people in employment of working age( 1)  who were born in United Kingdom or abroad 1997-2008 United Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted 
			  Thousands 
			  Three months ending September each year  All persons( 2)  Born in UK  Born abroad( 3) 
			 1997 25,893 23,954 1,939 
			 1998 26,197 24,195 2,000 
			 1999 26,542 24,490 2,050 
			 2000 26,865 24,700 2,164 
			 2001 26,980 24,726 2,252 
			 2002 27,137 24,713 2,422 
			 2003 27,368 24,847 2,518 
			 2004 27,597 24,958 2,635 
			 2005 27,900 25,052 2,845 
			 2006 28,000 24,849 3,146 
			 2007 28,146 24,694 3,445 
			 2008(4) *28,214 *24,580 *3,629 
			 (1) Defined as females aged 16 to 59 and males aged 16 to 64. (2) Includes people born outside of the UK, and those people who did not state their country of birth. (3) Does not include people who did not state their country of birth. (4) Coefficients of Variation have been calculated for the latest period as an indication of the quality of the estimates, as described below:  Guide to Quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within -/- twice the CV - for example, for an estimate of 200 with a CV of 5 per cent. we would expect the population total to be within the range 180-220  Key Coefficient of Variation (CV) (%) Statistical robustness  * 0 = CV 5 Estimates are considered precise. ** 5 = CV 10 Estimates are considered reasonably precise. *** 10 = CV 20 Estimates are considered acceptable. **** CV = 20 Estimates are considered too unreliable for practical purposes  Notes: It should be noted that the country of birth question in the LFS: excludes those who have not been resident in the UK excludes students in halls who do not have a UK resident parent excludes people in most other types of communal establishment (e.g. Hotels, boarding houses, hostels, mobile home sites etc) is grossed to population estimates that only include migrants staying for twelve months or more microdata are grossed to population estimates consistent with those published in Autumn 2007, meaning estimates are not entirely consistent with the figures published in the monthly Labour Market Statistics First Release.  Source: Labour Force Survey

Home Information Packs

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster with reference to the answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Bromley and Chislehurst (Robert Neill) of 22 July 2008,  Official Report, column 1258W, on departmental property, how many home information packs his Department has purchased to date; and how many of these included home condition reports.

Kevin Brennan: The Cabinet Office has not purchased any home information packs.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many people had been claiming jobseeker's allowance for a period of  (a) less than one month,  (b) less than three months,  (c) between three and six months,  (d) between six and nine months,  (e) between nine and 12 months,  (f) between 12 and 18 months,  (g) between 18 and 24 months and  (h) more than 24 months in each month of each of the last four years to date; and if he will make a statement.

Kevin Brennan: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated January 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many people had been claiming jobseeker's allowance for a period of (a) less than one month, (b) less than three months, (c) between three and six months, (d) between six and nine months, (e) between nine and 12 months, (f) between 12 and 18 months, (g) between 18 and 24 months and (h) more than 24 months in each month of each of the last 4 years to date. (246627)
	Table 1, attached, shows the number of computerised claims of Jobseeker's allowance (JSA) for people, aged 16 or over resident in the United Kingdom during each month from December 2005 to November 2008, broken down by the duration of the claim.
	Data published for JSA by duration of claim in the Labour Market Statistics First Release are seasonally adjusted. The data provided in Table 1 are not seasonally adjusted because seasonally adjusted series are not available for all of the categories requested. The data will therefore differ to that published.
	The latest JSA figures, along with other current and historical labour market indicators for the United Kingdom are available on the Nomis Website, www.nomisweb.co.uk
	
		
			  Table  1: Number of persons claiming j obseeker's allowance by duration of claim 
			  not seasonally adjusted 
			   Duration of claim 
			   Up to:  More than: 
			  Month of claim  One month  Three months  Three months up to six months  Six months up to nine months  Nine months up to 12 months  12 months up to 18 months  18 months up to 24 months  24 months 
			  2004 
			 December 151,973 385,302 164,490 80,615 46,376 55,300 27,959 41,702 
			  
			  2005 
			 January 155,553 412,126 186,916 89,296 48,363 55,586 29,119 42,410 
			 February 172,446 420,777 194,206 89,316 47,109 55,478 28,081 42,015 
			 March 157,009 412,282 199,358 91,728 47,292 54,538 27,779 41,627 
			 April 147,515 403,113 191,807 97,992 49,321 53,289 27,710 41,230 
			 May 149,838 390,387 197 604 100.634 49,714 53.031 27,626 40,909 
			 June 143,725 381,362 195,421 101,644 51,171 52,985 27,458 40,864 
			 July 161,634 398,279 193,080 97,772 53,786 53,954 26,762 40,587 
			 August 155,518 405,965 189,505 102,127 55,290 53,825 27,154 40,364 
			 September 140,938 395,535 187,196 102,817 56,494 55,202 27,198 40,596 
			 October 151,442 391,942 187,339 100,523 54,360 57,093 26,739 40,571 
			 November 152,073 402,151 186,954 98,129 56,500 58,441 26,639 40,756 
			 December 148,634 411,366 191,974 98,493 57,075 60,312 27,099 40,795 
			  
			  2006 
			 January 144,388 425,565 219,826 108,340 61,812 63,511 28,995 41,445 
			 February 167,257 438,583 230,197 111,004 62,020 66,558 29,044 41,759 
			 March 155,477 431,161 235,981 114,403 62,234 68,285 29,710 41,738 
			 April 144,502 419,319 223,160 124,602 65,261 70,188 31,523 41,873 
			 May 128,612 390,470 227,028 128,376 67,177 72,389 33,104 42,374 
			 June 140,833 380,186 219,100 128,861 69,282 73,856 33,932 42,726 
			 July 162,245 394,487 214,767 118,979 73,787 76,102 34,822 43,197 
			 August 157,064 411,651 194,874 118,970 73,150 76,041 36,213 43,352 
			 September 158,329 414,532 187,657 115,181 71,473 77,409 37,775 44,109 
			 October 159,842 407,594 185,318 110,653 65,616 77,808 37,636 44,208 
			 November 157,580 409,583 185,966 99,436 64,165 76,901 37,638 43,892 
			 December 149,177 405,867 196,668 97,124 61,864 76,512 37,527 43,513 
			  
			  2007 
			 January 156,145 423,957 209,682 103,285 64,195 76,220 39,137 44,191 
			 February 177,460 434,316 213,176 105,396 59,040 75,801 38,604 44,367 
			 March 159,057 419,866 211,835 107,034 56,812 74,344 37,922 44,280 
			 April 139,644 396,163 196,787 110,366 57,300 71,553 38,447 44,147 
			 May 143,275 372,041 197,558 108,194 57,144 68,302 38,151 44,097 
			 June 146,101 360,734 187,074 101,263 57,057 65,543 36,824 43,564 
			 July 167,009 384,573 174,259 93,695 55,797 64,522 34,621 43,047 
			 August 164,192 401,167 164,763 94,786 54,227 62,249 33,785 42,575 
			 September 158,808 393,553 157,912 89,435 50,995 59,844 32,202 41,667 
			 October 158,985 381,787 159,897 81,672 46,577 58,132 29,976 40,423 
			 November 157,689 381,633 157,013 75,608 45,637 56,698 27,684 38,517 
			 December 150,760 385,795 163,319 75,768 44,696 55,468 26,421 35,957 
			  
			  2008 
			 January 153,282 404,824 176,750 83,777 45,063 54,729 27,722 34,939 
			 February 176,419 420,867 184,846 84,761 43,253 54,459 25,585 32,123 
			 March 162,949 414,494 184,679 88,350 43,417 53,608 24,873 30,310 
			 April 156,787 411,832 177,509 91,623 45,799 51,636 25,030 29,054 
			 May 157,921 398,391 186,144 94,239 46,267 51,325 24,591 27,911 
			 June 169,672 405,211 183,961 92,666 47,219 51,393 23,808 26,567 
			 July 199,802 447,316 183,424 88,898 47,892 51,969 22,600 25,725 
			 August 203,052 493,178 182,977 95,157 49,394 52,132 23,022 24,985 
			 September 210,379 508,724 186,915 96,020 49,709 52,682 22,973 24,515 
			 October 219,578 522,040 201,074 95,131 48,483 54,348 21,938 24,105 
			 November 246,283 585,629 218,519 95,827 51,545 56,134 21,831 23,497 
			  Source: Jobcentre Plus administrative system

Mental Illness

Jo Swinson: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment he has made of the recommendations relevant to his Department's policy responsibilities made in the Foresight report on Mental Capacity and Well-Being; and if he will make a statement.

Kevin Brennan: The Government are committed to supporting people with mental health problems. Indeed, health and wellbeing is one of the Cabinet Secretary's corporate priorities. The Cabinet Office is working with other Government Departments to improve wellbeing at work to achieve some of the associated benefits such as a reduction in absenteeism.
	Additionally, the Social Exclusion Task Force in the Cabinet Office is working closely with other Government Departments to deliver the socially excluded adults public service agreement (PSA 16). PSA 16 aims increase the proportion of four client groups into accommodation and education, employment or training work. These groups are:
	People receiving secondary mental health services
	People with moderate to severe learning disabilities
	Young people who have experienced care
	Offenders under probation supervision

Migration

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the Office of National Statistics' most recent estimate is of the number of  (a) EU nationals living in the UK and  (b) UK nationals living in other EU member states.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated January 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to respond to your questions concerning what the Office for National Statistics' most recent estimate is of the number of (a) EU nationals living in the UK and (b) UK nationals living in other EU member states (246245).
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) collects data on nationality on the Annual Population Survey which covers residents of the UK. The ONS does not routinely collect information regarding UK nationals resident outside the UK.
	Estimates from the Annual Population Survey for the time period April 2007 March 2008 show that 1.65 million EU nationals were resident in the UK. This estimate has a margin of error of +/- 53 thousand.

Migration: Australia

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  what recent estimate he has made of the number of Australian nationals who were born in the UK;
	(2)  what recent estimate he has made of the number of UK nationals who were born in Australia.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 16 December 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to respond to your questions concerning (a) the number of Australian nationals who were born in the UK (244048) and (b) the number of UK nationals who were born in Australia (244049).
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) collects data on country of birth and nationality on the Annual Population Survey (APS) which is a household survey of UK residents. The APS covers only those people who are resident in the UK at the time of the survey. The estimates provided therefore exclude all Australian nationals who were born in the UK but were not living in the UK at the time of the survey and all UK nationals who were resident elsewhere at that time.
	Estimates from the APS for the time period April 2007 - March 2008 show that there were:
	10 thousand Australian nationals resident in the UK who were born in the UK. This estimate has a margin of error of +/- 4 thousand.
	40 thousand resident UK nationals who were born in Australia. This estimate has a margin of error of +/- 8 thousand.

Minimum Wage and Benefits

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  how many married couples without children are unemployed and in receipt of jobseeker's allowance and are  (a) local authority tenants and  (b) private tenants (i) in total and (ii) broken down by the smallest geographical area for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many married couple families without children have the head of the family working up to  (a) 16 hours a week and  (b) 30 hours a week on no more than the national minimum wage, broken down by those that are (i) local authority tenants and (ii) private tenants (A) in total and (B) broken down by the smallest geographical area for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  how many married couple families with  (a) one child and  (b) two children are unemployed and in receipt of jobseeker's allowance and are (i) local authority tenants and (ii) private tenants (A) in total and (B) broken down by the smallest geographical area for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  how many lone parents with  (a) one child and  (b) two children are working up to (i) 16 hours a week and (ii) 30 hours a week on no more than the national minimum wage, broken down by those that are (A) local authority tenants and (B) private tenants (1) in total and (2) broken down by the smallest geographical area for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated January 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions.
	To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many married couples without children are unemployed and in receipt of jobseeker's allowance and are (a) local authority tenants and (b) private tenants (i) in total and (ii) broken down by the smallest geographical area for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. (246632)
	To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many married couple families without children have the head of the family working up to (a) 16 hours a week and (b) 30 hours a week on no more than the national minimum wage, broken down by those that are (i) local authority tenants and (ii) private tenants (A) in total and (B) broken down by the smallest geographical area for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. (246633)
	To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many married couple families with (a) one child and (b) two children are unemployed and in receipt of jobseeker's allowance and are (i) local authority tenants and (ii) private tenants (A) in total and (B) broken down by the smallest geographical area for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. (246634)
	To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many lone parents with (a) one child and (b) two children are working up to (i) 16 hours a week and (ii) 30 hours a week on no more than the national minimum wage, broken down by those that are (A) local authority tenants and (B) private tenants (1) in total and (2) broken down by the smallest geographical area for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. (246637)
	The number of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) are taken from the Jobcentre Plus administrative system. This system does not collect the family characteristics of claimants nor does it collect information on whether the family is in private or local authority rented accommodation. It is therefore not possible to use this source to provide estimates for the groups requested. The Labour Force Survey (LFS) collects information on individuals claiming JSA but reliable estimates for the groups requested are not available.
	The Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) is the principal source of statistics of the earnings of low paid employees. However, the ASHE does not collect information about family characteristics therefore can not provide estimates of the number of families on the national minimum wage.
	The LFS can provide estimates of the characteristics of low paid workers but reliable estimates of the number of families on the minimum wage by housing tenure are not available.

Minimum Wage and Benefits

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  how many single people aged 25 or over are unemployed and in receipt of jobseeker's allowance and are  (a) local authority tenants and  (b) private tenants (A) in total and (B) broken down by the smallest geographical area for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many single people aged 25 or over are working an average of  (a) 16 hours a week and  (b) 30 hours a week on the national minimum wage, broken down by those that are (i) local authority tenants and (ii) private tenants (A) in total and (B) broken down by the smallest geographical area for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  how many married couple families with  (a) one child and  (b) two children have the head of the family working (i) 16 hours a week and (ii) 30 hours a week on no more than the national minimum wage, broken down by those that are (A) local authority tenants and (B) private tenants (1) in total and (2) broken down by the smallest geographical area for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  how many lone parents with  (a) one child and  (b) two children are unemployed and in receipt of jobseeker's allowance and are (i) local authority tenants and (ii) private tenants (A) in total and (B) broken down by the smallest geographical area for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated January 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions.
	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many married couple families with (a) one child and (b) two children have the head of the family working (i) 16 hours a week and (ii) 30 hours a week on the national minimum wage, broken down by those that are (A) local authority tenants and (B) private tenants (1) in total and (2) broken down by the smallest geographical area for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. (246635)
	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many lone parents with (a) one child and (b) two children are unemployed and in receipt of jobseeker's allowance and are (i) local authority tenants and (ii) private tenants (A) in total and (B) broken down by the smallest geographical area for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. (246636)
	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many single people aged 25 or over are unemployed and in receipt of jobseeker's allowance and are (a) local authority tenants and (b) private tenants (A) in total and (B) broken down by the smallest geographical area for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. (246813)
	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many single people aged 25 or over are working an average of (a) 16 hours a week and (b) 30 hours a week on the national minimum wage, broken down by those that are (i) local authority tenants and (ii) private tenants in total and broken down by the smallest geographical are for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. (246814)
	The number of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) is taken from the Jobcentre Plus administrative system. This system does not collect the family characteristics of claimants nor does it collect information on whether the family is in private or local authority rented accommodation. It is therefore not possible to use this source to provide estimates for the groups requested. The Labour Force Survey (LFS) collects information on individuals claiming JSA but reliable estimates for the groups requested are not available.
	The Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) is the principle source of statistics of the earnings of low paid employees. However, the ASHE does not collect information about family characteristics and therefore can not provide estimates of the number of families on the national minimum wage.
	The LFS can provide estimates of the characteristics of low paid workers but reliable estimates of the number of families on the minimum wage by housing tenure are not available.

Productivity

Chris Ruane: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the productivity level per worker was in each region in the latest period for which figures are available.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 16 December 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question on what productivity level per worker was in each region in the latest period for which figures are available. (244215)
	The Office for National Statistics does not produce output per worker estimates at a regional level. Output per worker productivity estimates are only available at the UK level with base year 2003=100. Annual productivity statistics at Government Office Region are available for GVA per hour, GVA per job and GVA per head. These are produced with the base being UK=100.
	Table 1 attached provides estimates of the index value with UK=100 of GVA per filled job at Government Office Region level for 2006.
	
		
			  Table 1 
			  Region  GVA per filled job 
			 United Kingdom 100.0 
			 North East 91.6 
			 North West 90.5 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 89.1 
			 East Midlands 97.1 
			 West Midlands 91.1 
			 East 97.2 
			 London 129.3 
			 South East 107.1 
			 South West 94.1 
			   
			 England 101.7 
			   
			 Wales 86.2 
			   
			 Scotland 94.9 
			   
			 Northern Ireland 87.1

Public Consultation

Mark Harper: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what guidance he has issued to Departments on the minimum length of consultations outside an election period; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 15 December 2008
	I have been asked to reply.
	The Department is responsible for the Government's Code of Practice on Consultation. This Code sets out how central Government Departments should run their formal, written consultation exercises. Criterion 2 of the Code states that:
	Consultations should normally last for at least 12 weeks with consideration given to longer timescales where feasible and sensible.

Unemployed

James Clappison: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  how many and what proportion of people aged over 50 years old were unemployed in  (a) each year since 1997 and  (b) each of the last eight quarters for which figures are available;
	(2)  how many and what proportion of people aged 16 to 24 were unemployed in  (a) each year since 1997 and  (b) each of the last eight quarters for which figures are available.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, 17 December 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Questions asking how many and what proportion of people aged over 50 years old were unemployed in  (a) each year since 1997 and  (b) each of the last eight quarters for which figures are available. (244313); and how many and what proportion of people aged 16 to 24 were unemployed in  (a) each year since 1997 and  (b) each of the last eight quarters for which figures are available. (244314)
	The requested information is shown in the attached table. The estimates are derived from the Labour Force Survey. As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	The figures in the table are derived from the LFS microdata which are weighted using the official population estimates published in autumn 2007. Consequently the estimates from Q3 2006 are not entirely consistent with the figures published in the monthly Labour Market Statistics First Release, which are weighted using more up-to-date population estimates.
	
		
			  Level and proportion of people aged 16-24, and aged 50 and over, who are unemployed Quarter 31997 to 2006; all calendar quarters from quarter 4 2006 to quarter 3 2008 United Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted 
			  Thousands and percentage 
			16-24  50+ 
			Level  Proportion%  Level  Proportion% 
			 1997 Q3 724 12 321 2 
			 1998 Q3 698 11 268 1 
			 1999 Q3 651 10 266 1 
			 2000 Q3 631 10 245 1 
			 2001 Q3 628 10 222 1 
			 2002 Q3 649 10 247 1 
			 2003 Q3 669 10 218 1 
			 2004 Q3 681 10 200 1 
			 2005 Q3 701 10 214 1 
			 2006 Q3 797 11 246 1 
			 2006 Q4 676 9 231 1 
			 2007 Q1 669 9 253 1 
			 2007 Q2 675 9 245 1 
			 2007 Q3 806 11 241 1 
			 2007 Q4 663 9 230 1 
			 2008 Q1 642 9 238 1 
			 2008 Q2 676 9 234 1 
			 2008 Q3(1) *864 12 **266 1 
			 (1) Coefficients of Variation have been calculated for the latest period as an indication of the quality of the estimates, as described as follows:  Guide to Quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CVfor example, for an estimate of 200 with a CV of 5 per cent. we would expect the population total to be within the range 180-220.  Key Coefficient of Variation (CV)  (%) Statistical robustness * 0 = CV 5 Estimates are considered precise. ** 5 = CV 10 Estimates are considered reasonably precise. *** 10 = CV 20 Estimates are considered acceptable. **** CV = 20 Estimates are considered too unreliable for practical purposes.  Note:  It should be noted that the above estimates exclude people in most types of communal establishment (e.g. hotels, boarding houses, hostels, mobile home sites etc.)  Source: Labour Force Survey

Unemployed: Essex

Bob Spink: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many unemployed persons in Essex were previously employed in the  (a) financial services,  (b) hospitality and  (c) construction sectors.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 16 December 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many unemployed persons in Essex were previously employed in the (a) financial services, (b) hospitality industry and (c) construction sectors. (243811)
	Reliable estimates at this level of detail are not available.

JUSTICE

Bronzefield Prison

David Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many women are being held at Bronzefield Prison, Ashford, Middlesex; and how many of them are  (a) on remand,  (b) serving sentences of less than six months,  (c) serving sentences of between six and 12 months,  (d) serving sentences of between 12 months and five years,  (e) serving time-limited sentences of more than five years,  (f) serving life sentences and  (g) foreign nationals.

David Hanson: In response to part  (a) of the question, there were 201 female prisoners on remand at Bronzefield on 30 September 2008. The information in response to parts  (b) to  (f) can be found in the following table, which gives figures for the numbers of female prisoners at Bronzefield Prison at the end of September 2008:
	
		
			   Determinate sentences   
			   Less than or equal to 6 months sentence  Greater than 6 months and less than 12 months  12 months and up to and including 5 years  Over 5 years  Indeterminate  Total 
			 Sentenced population 74 28 83 10 6 201 
		
	
	In response to  (g), there were 103 foreign national female prisoners at Bronzefield Prison at the end of September 2008. The information on the numbers of foreign national prisoners in Bronzefield can be found at Table 4 of the September issue at the following website:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/populationincustody.htm.
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Community Orders: North West

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many community orders were issued in  (a) Stockport Metropolitan Borough,  (b) Greater Manchester and  (c) the North West in each of the last five years.

David Hanson: The available data for community sentences, including community orders made under the Criminal Justice Act 2003, is contained in the following table.
	Data held by the Ministry of Justice is available by Police Force Area (PFA) and the table shows the figures for Greater Manchester PFA, and the North West (comprising Cumbria, Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Cheshire PFAs). Those data are not made available for smaller areas because detailed checks on sentencing data are not carried out at court level.
	
		
			  Number of persons sentenced to community sentences including community orders( 1)  in Greater Manchester Police Force Area and North West Region( 2 ) 2003-07 
			   Greater Manchester  North West Region 
			   Total community sentences  O f which  Community orders  Total community sentences  O f which  Community orders 
			 2003 12,624   30,701   
			 2004 14,351   33,820   
			 2005 14,917  3,858 34,544  8,846 
			 2006 14,209  9,044 32,997  20,164 
			 2007 14,103  9,629, 35,168  23,476 
			 (1) Community orders are available for adults only and for offences committed on or after 04/042005. (2) The North West Region comprises Cumbria, Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Cheshire Police Force Areas.  Note: These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system.

Community Sentences

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether his Department intends to consult on the merits of having people undertaking community service wearing high-visibility jackets.

David Hanson: The use of distinctive clothing by offenders sentenced to community payback was announced on 1 December. This announcement followed a period of consultation with probation boards, probation trusts and unions. Implementation of this policy by probation areas is being monitored and at this stage no further consultation is planned.

Community Sentences

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  whether he plans to record incidents of violence or threats made against people on unpaid work projects following the implementation of the visible vests policy;
	(2)  how many reported incidents of violence there were against people undertaking unpaid work projects in  (a) 2006-07,  (b) 2007-08 and  (c) 2008-09.

David Hanson: All incidents and accidents which take place in probation areas are monitored and are identifiable by the level of severity of the accident or incident. It is not currently possible to specifically identify incidents of violence against offenders undertaking unpaid work. Plans to separately monitor incidents relating to unpaid work projects are being developed.

Community Sentences

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps he plans to take to ensure that individuals placed on unpaid work who are known to be involved in gangs are protected from members of rival gangs.

David Hanson: It is the responsibility of probation areas to ensure the safety of offenders who are undertaking unpaid work, the staff responsible for supervising their work and members of the public. All offenders are subject to risk assessment before being placed. The operation of unpaid work must be responsive to local concerns and probation areas are best placed to identify these concerns. For example London and West Midlands Probation Areas operate unpaid work in areas in which gangs operate. Both areas have established arrangements with the police and other agencies to determine if offenders known to be involved in gangs are likely to be at risk if required to work in certain localities. If concerns are identified, the offender would undertake work at an alternate location.

Sentences: Offensive Weapons

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many people have been sentenced to custody in the 10 knife action programme areas for knife-related crimes;
	(2)  how many people have been given community supervision orders in the 10 knife action programme areas for knife-related crimes.

Jack Straw: Finalised data for sentencing for knife and offensive weapon possession in the 10 Tackling Knives Action Programme (TKAP) areas in 2008 will not be available until 'Sentencing Statistics 2008' is published in November 2009. However, as part of TKAP, provisional data from management information systems are being gathered. These data will be subject to continual revision. The provisional figures available from the Police National Computer indicate that between June and October 2008 in the TKAP areas, 2,036 community penalties, 1,356 immediate custodial sentences and 669 suspended sentence orders were given for offences relating to the possession of a knife or offensive weapon in a public place or on school premises. These figures include adult and juvenile offenders.
	The figures quoted in this answer have been taken from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Crime: Treason

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will bring forward amendments to legislation governing offences of treason so that such offences are defined as crimes against the state.

Maria Eagle: We have no plans at present to reform this area of law. However the Law Commission identified this area as one they might tackle under their simplification of criminal law project in their 10th programme of work (Law Com 311 HC 605).

Data Protection: Internet

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with reference to the written ministerial statement of 4 December 2008,  Official Report, columns 9-11WS, on the Justice and Home Affairs Council, what assurance the Government sought that member states operating the e-justice programme will have in place sufficiently high data security standards to meet UK standards; what assessment his Department has made of the potential for increased fraud as a result of implementation of the e-justice programme; and if he will make further representations on the matter at EU level.

Jack Straw: Work on e-Justice is at an early stage and has the objective to improve access to justice for citizens and cooperation between the authorities in each member state. Projects so far have concentrated on the creation of a portal which will allow access through this one site to databases and registers already available to the public. Such databases are already subject to national and European data protection legislation. For future projects, transfers of data to and from the UK must comply with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998.
	As e-Justice work is still at an early stage of development there have been no specific assessments of the potential for increased fraud but security standards and the associated considerations of identification, authentication and authorisation to use systems are the subject of ongoing discussion. We believe that it is essential that such work must provide sufficient safeguards to minimise the risk of fraud or unauthorised access to data. These are matters which we will continue to press at both official level and at relevant Justice and Home Affairs Councils.

Departmental Aviation

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many journeys  (a) he and his predecessors and  (b) his officials made by aeroplane in the course of their duties in each of the last five years.

Jack Straw: My predecessors, officials and I have undertaken a number of flights over the last five years, the details of which are not possible to provide within the disproportionate cost limit. The Ministry of Justice has no historic record of flights undertaken by the Secretary of State or Ministry of Justice officials. Since April 2007 a record of flights I and my predecessor Lord Falconer have undertaken and the number of officials accompanying us on these flights has been kept by my office. This record indicates that from April 2007 to April 2008 my predecessor undertook one return international flight with two accompanying officials; I undertook one domestic flight with two accompanying officials and three return international flights with four accompanying officials on each journey. Between May 2008 to present I have undertaken one domestic flight with one accompanying official; one return international flight with another Minister and three accompanying officials; one return international flight with three accompanying officials and one multi-stop international visit involving five flights, with four accompanying officials. Travel by Ministers and civil servants is undertaken in accordance with the 'Ministerial Code' and the 'Civil Service Management Code' respectively.

Departmental Correspondence

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many  (a) letters and  (b) e-mails received by his Department had not been responded to as at 15 December 2008.

Jack Straw: The Cabinet Office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on the performance of Departments in replying to correspondence from Members and Peers. Information relating to 2008 will be published as soon as it has been collated. The report for 2007 was published on 20 March 2008,  Official Report column 71-74WS. Reports for earlier years are available in the Library of the House. When responding to all correspondence Departments should abide by the guidance as set out in 'Handling correspondence from MPs, Lords, MEPs and Members of Devolved Assemblies' which was published by the Cabinet office in July 2005 and may be read at:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/propriety and ethics/handling _members_correspondence.aspx.
	As at 22 December (the nearest date for which I have records), 81 letters from MPs were outstanding and had not received a response within target.
	In respect of emails and correspondence from the public, it is not possible to provide the information within the 750 disproportionate cost limit.

Departmental Correspondence

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what percentage of correspondence from hon. and right hon. Members he  (a) personally answered,  (b) passed to ministerial colleagues and  (c) asked officials to answer in the last 12 months.

Jack Straw: During 2008 I received 4,113 letters from hon. and right hon. Members that raised issues that fell within my Department's remit. I responded to 946 (23 per cent.) of those letters and, except for a small number answered by officials, my ministerial colleagues responded to the remainder.
	In addition, I received 649 letters in 2008 that raised issues outside my Department's remit. These were transferred to the relevant Department for answer.

Departmental Data Protection

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many contracts  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies have which allow contractors to store personal data of UK citizens overseas; for which contracts this applies; in which countries the data for each contract are held; and how many people have their data stored overseas in the case of each such contract.

Jack Straw: The Ministry of Justice and its agencies, has one contract for an online training facility which is provided from the United States of America. The application holds the names and payroll references for approximately 4,000 staff who have completed an e-learning package. The company is a member of the United States Safe Harbor agreement, which ensures a similar level of data protection to that required by UK data protection law. All data transfers are required to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998.
	The contract expires in April 2009. Options for the future are being considered with a view to ensuring the data will be stored in the UK after that date.

Departmental Data Protection

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when his Department appointed a senior information risk owner in accordance with the report, Data Handling Procedures in Government and the accompanying document Cross-departmental Actions: Mandatory Minimum Action; when the appointment was made; and what grade the person holds within the Department.

Jack Straw: The Ministry of Justice's senior information risk owner (SIRO) is the Director General of the Democracy, Constitution and Law Group who took over this responsibility in spring 2008, in advance of the Data Handling Review's publication. Prior to her taking over the role, the Ministry of Justice's SIRO was the Director General of Strategy.

Departmental Energy

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps his Department is taking to reduce the amount of energy it wastes.

Michael Wills: The Government's delivery plan for Sustainable Procurement and Operations on the Government Estate update published 18 December 2008 outlines what actions the Ministry of Justice is taking to reduce its energy waste.
	Progress will be made through behavioural change: encouraging staff to switch off lights and electrical and electronic equipment when not needed; and as a result of energy audits looking at increasing energy efficiency of the existing estate through initiatives such as: upgrading lighting, installing voltage optimisation kit, optimising time settings for boiler and chiller systems.

Departmental Freedom of Information

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 were made to his Department since 2005; how many requests were  (a) agreed to and  (b) refused in each of those years; how many refusals were subject to appeal to the Information Commissioner in each of those years; how many appeals were successful; if he will place in the Library copies of the material subsequently provided in each case; how much was spent by his Department opposing each appeal; which (i) consultants and (ii) law firms were employed by his Department in connection with each appeal; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Wills: The Ministry of Justice has published annual reports containing statistical information on Freedom of Information requests received by monitored bodies (including central Government Departments) in 2005, 2006 and 2007. Statistics on requests received in the first three quarters of 2008 have also been published.
	These reports include statistics on the number of non-routine requests received by this Department and the initial outcomes of these requests. They also contain the number of complaints to the Information Commissioner of which we have been notified, and the outcomes of these complaints.
	The reports can be found at the following address:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/freedomofinformationquarterly.htm
	In addition, copies of each report have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
	Providing copies of material subsequently provided in each case, and identifying any costs relating to consultants or law firms incurred in handling them would incur disproportionate cost. However, in most cases under investigation. Ministry of Justice officials use departmental lawyers or the Central Clearing House, also based here, for specialist advice where necessary. As such, no external cost is incurred.

Departmental Official Hospitality

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much his Department spent on Ministerial hospitality in  (a) 2004-05,  (b) 2005-06,  (c) 2006-07 and  (d) 2007-08, expressed in current prices.

Jack Straw: The Ministry of Justice has offered various forms of ministerial hospitality over the last four years, the cost of which is not possible to provide within the disproportionate cost limit. Since April 2007 a record of the cost of receptions and formal dinners hosted by me as Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice has been kept by my office. This record indicates that in the financial year 2007-08 spending in these matters was 42,452. The total spending to date in 2008-09 financial year is 68,331. The bulk of this spending is for the Lord Chancellor's Breakfast, hosted for the judiciary and foreign dignitaries on the occasion of the Opening of the Legal Year. All spending on official entertainment is made in accordance with the principles set out in 'Managing Public Money'.

Departmental Pay

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will make it his policy to ensure that those temporary and permanent employees at the same grade in his Department who are paid at an hourly rate are paid at the same rate.

Michael Wills: All staff employed directly by the core Ministry of Justice and the National Offender Management Service are subject to the same arrangements for pay irrespective of whether they are temporary (i.e. fixed term) employees or permanent staff.
	Where they exist, differences in hourly pay rates for individuals within the same grade are for reasons other than whether the member of staff is fixed term or permanent. Such differences may be the position within the pay band or location. Following machinery of Government changes, there are a small number of staff within the Ministry employed on their former employers' terms and conditions and who opted to retain their legacy pay arrangements. These staff therefore have an hourly salaries determined by those legacy terms.
	Hourly rates paid to the staff engaged through temporary Staffing Agencies are determined between the Agency and the individual. When Parliament has decided the implementation date of the Agency Workers Directive, guidance on the terms will be reviewed with suppliers.

Disclosure of Information: Identity Cards

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the status is of the Information Tribunal's consideration of the Appeal by the Office of Government Commerce against the decision notices issued by the Information Commissioner on the disclosure of gateway review documents relating to the Home Office's Identity Cards Programme.

Angela Eagle: I have been asked to reply.
	The Information Tribunal first made a decision on this appeal in May 2007, upholding the decision notices of the Information Commissioner requiring the disclosure of the OGC gateway review documents relating to the Home Office's Identity Cards Programme.
	In March 2008, this decision was quashed by a High Court ruling, the judge ordering that the appeal should return to a remitted, newly constituted Information Tribunal.
	The remitted tribunal sat between the 29 to the 31 October 2008 and heard closing arguments on 10 December 2008, with further written submissions invited from both parties, to be submitted by the 19 December 2008.
	The tribunal has indicated that it is likely to release a decision in late January or early February 2009.

Drugs: Rehabilitation

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the average cost was of keeping a person in residential drug rehabilitation for  (a) one week and  (b) one year in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: I have been asked to reply.
	The National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA) supports an online directory of residential drug and alcohol treatment services, which is available via the NTA website at:
	http://www.nta.nhs.uk/about_treatment/treatment_directories/residential/resdirectory_f.aspx
	This directory contains a range of information, including cost, self-reported by approximately 75 per cent. of residential rehabilitation services in England and Wales, and as such it does not represent a comprehensive or necessarily robust picture. Of the providers in the directory, the average (median) cost, as at the end of November 2008, of a week in a residential rehabilitation service is around 500. A residential programme typically runs for three to six months. Information about the cost of residential drug rehabilitation programmes which last for a year is not separately identified.

Elections: Greater London

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what timetable has been set for the completion of the cost-benefit assessment of e-counting in the 2008 London elections; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the assessment once it is completed.

Michael Wills: London Elects, as the body responsible for running the London Mayoral and Assembly elections, is conducting a cost-benefit analysis of e-counting in the 2008 London elections. The Ministry of Justice is not involved. I will nevertheless ask London Elects if they will write to the hon. Member with details.

Electoral Commission: Powers of Entry

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he has consulted the Electoral Commission on whether the proposed new powers of entry for the Electoral Commission in the Political Parties and Elections Bill will potentially allow entry into the homes of  (a) trades union staff and  (b) trades union members who donate to a political party through paying a political levy, in trades unions that affiliate to a political party; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Wills: The Political Parties and Elections Bill currently provides for two specific, constrained, powers of entry. The provisions were discussed with the Electoral Commission during their development.
	The first is a restatement of the existing power under section 146(3) of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, which allows the Commission to enter premises and take copies of information relating to income and expenditure from a registered political party, a recognised third party and a permitted participant in a referendum. This power can be exercised by the Commission for the purposes of carrying out its functions but does not authorise the use of force to enter premises. However, it is a criminal offence to intentionally obstruct the Commission from entering premises.
	This power is replicated in clause 1(5) of schedule 19A (to be inserted into the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 by schedule 1 to the Bill). It is, however, extended in its scope to encompass candidates (other than candidates in Scottish local government elections), election agents, regulated donees (including MPs) and regulated participants.
	In addition, the Political Parties and Elections Bill seeks to provide new powers for use by the Commission when it undertakes an investigation in circumstances where it has reasonable grounds for suspecting that a breach of PPERA has taken place: specifically, the Bill provides the Commission with new powers to request information, to put questions and to apply for a warrant to enable it to enter premises when carrying out an investigation into a suspected offence or other contravention of the 2000 Act; each of these new powers is subject to a series of safeguards. These powers and the associated safeguards are set out in schedule 1 of the Bill, which proposes to insert a new schedule 19A into the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.
	In relation to the new power to enter premises, under paragraph 3 of schedule 19A the Commission will need to apply for a warrant: there is no automatic right of entry. For a warrant to be issued, the Commission must demonstrate on oath to a justice of the peace that it has reasonable grounds for believing that an offence has been committed (or other contravention of PPERA has occurred). The Commission must also satisfy a justice of the peace that documents are on any premises that were withheld following an earlier request made under paragraph 2(2) of the schedule or that are otherwise relevant to the investigation. When entering the premises that a warrant authorises entry into, any Commission staff must be accompanied at all times by a constable.
	A warrant issued under paragraph 3 is capable of applying to any person or organisation that the tests in the paragraph above are met. On that basis it is capable of applying to trade unions and their members in the same way that it may apply to any other person or organisation.

Electoral Commission: Powers of Entry

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he plans to table an amendment to the Political Parties and Elections Bill to restrict the Electoral Commission's powers of entry into regulated donees in respect of  (a) the offices of hon. Members within Parliament,  (b) the offices of noble Lords within Parliament and  (c) the parliamentary offices located at 4 Millbank.

Michael Wills: As I indicated at Committee stage of the Political Parties and Elections Bill, we have heard the force of opinion in the House on the issue of the Commission's powers and will consider what can be done to address it.
	We are considering how best to do so while delivering the objective of empowering the Commission to investigate more effectively, together with ensuring that its powers are subject to appropriate safeguards.

Electoral Commission: Powers of Entry

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his proposed definition is of reasonable cause for a magistrate to give permission for the Electoral Commission to use its new suggested powers of entry.

Michael Wills: The Political Parties and Elections Bill proposes that the Electoral Commission may apply to a justice of the peace for a search warrant to authorise the entry of premises.
	In order to issue a warrant a justice of the peace must be satisfied, having had regard to information given on oath by the Commission, that there are reasonable grounds for believing that an offence or other breach of PPERA has been committed or has taken place. In addition the justice of the peace must also be satisfied that there are on the premises for which the warrant was sought documents that that have previously been required to be produced or which are otherwise relevant to the Commission's investigation. Further detail about the proposed power of entry and search by warrant is set out in paragraph 3 of schedule 1. It would ultimately be for a court, taking all relevant factors into consideration, to decide whether the above requirements were met and whether issuing a warrant was appropriate as a result.

Electoral Register: Databases

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what effect the planned reductions in his Department's spending will have on  (a) progress on the proposed CORE electoral database and  (b) numbers of staff in his Department's electoral law and regulation division.

Michael Wills: The Co-ordinated Online Record of Electors (CORE) project is funded from a ring fenced capital allocation. Funds are released for expenditure subject to an annual bidding process. We do not anticipate that this position will change as a result of the Ministry of Justice's Performance and Efficiency Programme.
	Staffing requirements in Elections and Democracy Division are reviewed based on its work load and the skills required and this will continue.

Freedom of Information

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the average length of time is for  (a) the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and  (b) the ICO Freedom of Information Operation Team 5 Local Government (South) to allocate a freedom of information case to a caseworker.

Michael Wills: Figures available relate to Freedom of Information cases closed by the ICO between April 2007 and September 2008.
	Of the cases closed by the ICO between April 2007 and March 2008, the average number of days from receipt by the ICO to allocation to a case officer was 69. Between April and September 2008, the average time taken for allocation following receipt by the ICO was 64 days.
	Of the cases closed by FOI Operation Team 5Local Government (South) between April 2007 and March 2008, the average number of days from receipt by Team 5 to allocation to a complaints officer was 117. Between April and September 2008, the average time taken for allocation following receipt by Team 5 was 130 days.
	This information has been provided by the ICO.

HM Courts Service: Finance

David Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with reference to the answer of 24 November 2008,  Official Report, column 865W, on HM Courts Service: finance, upon what assumptions on changes to the volume of cases the estimate of additional income was based; and what assessment he has made of the accuracy of such assumptions.

Jack Straw: The estimation of the additional income of 28 million from family court fees was calculated by taking prior year volumes of new care cases issued, and adjusting that volume to take into account an initial drop as a result of the introduction of the new Public Law Outline in April 2008. In addition, the estimation also included volumes from existing cases that had been issued prior to the introduction of the new fee charge, and that would incur the new fee charges after 1 May 2008:
	The assessment of the accuracy of the assumptions was based on an understanding of the low volatility and identifiable trend of those application volumes in recent years.

Human Trafficking: Refuges

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what referral criteria are put in place for the Poppy Project; and whether the Government has recently considered amending such criteria.

Maria Eagle: To qualify for safe accommodation under the Government-funded Poppy project individuals must be over 18 years old, trafficked into the United Kingdom and sexually exploited in England and Wales. Priority for accommodation is given to individuals that have experienced exploitation in the immediate three months prior to referral. This year we also piloted support provisions for victims of trafficking for forced labour and domestic servitude.
	We ratified the Council of Europe convention on action against trafficking in human beings on 17 December 2008. This will require us to have minimum levels of support for all identified victims of human trafficking by spring 2009. We are currently tendering for a national support model for victims of human trafficking for sexual exploitation and domestic servitude, as they share similar high-level support needs. We are also working with the United Kingdom Human Trafficking Centre to develop support services for victims trafficked into forced labour.

Human Trafficking: Victims

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what services his Department provides to people who are identified as having been trafficked.

Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Justice and the Home Office jointly funds the Poppy project to provide specialist, high-level support to victims of human trafficking for sexual exploitation. Victims are provided with a 30 day reflection period, accommodation, advocacy support, access to counselling, interpretative services, access to immigration legal advice, resettlement support and a range of other services to meet their individual needs. The Poppy project also has outreach team. This year the Government piloted support services for victims trafficked into domestic servitude and forced labour.
	We ratified the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings on 17 December 2008 and will come into force in April 2009. This will see the introduction of a 45-day minimum reflection period and one-year temporary residence permits, both of which will be extendable in certain circumstances. We will also introduce a national support service model with an increased number of supported accommodation places.

Monarchy: Succession

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he has to bring forward legislative proposals to amend those provisions of the Act of Settlement relating to the Royal Succession; and what recent representations he has received on the matter.

Jack Straw: The Government have always stood firmly against discrimination in all its forms, including against Roman Catholics, and we will continue to do so. To bring about changes to the law on succession would be a complex undertaking involving amendment or repeal of a number of items of related legislation, as well as requiring the consent of legislatures of member nations of the Commonwealth. We are examining this complex area although there are no immediate plans to legislate.

National Offender Management Service

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will publish  (a) the Offender Management Strategy 2008 and  (b) the evidence base on which it draws.

David Hanson: The publication 'Punishment and reform: our approach to managing offenders' was published on 17 December 2008 and is available on the Ministry of Justice website and a copy will be placed in the Libraries of the House. It explains how the principles of punishment and reform underpin our approach to offender management.
	A strategic review of offender management took place in 2007. A summary report was made available to probation services in January 2008. I am arranging for a copy of the summary to be placed in the Library of both Houses. The purpose of the Offender Management Strategic Review was to set the direction for the implementation of future phases of offender management within the National Offender Management Service. The review drew on an extensive programme of consultation with practitioners and other interested parties including the findings from Offender Management Inspection reports by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation which are public documents.

National Offender Management Service: Manpower

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  what staff resources the National Offender Management Service proposes to allocate to directors of offender management;
	(2)  what salary the National Offender Management Service proposes to pay its directors of offender management;
	(3)  what the  (a) job description and  (b) person specification for the post of director of offender management is;
	(4)  what estimate he has made of the cost savings from the change from regional offender managers to directors of offender management in the National Offender Management Service.

David Hanson: Directors of Offender Management will be the single point of accountability in English regions and in Wales. They will lead the total system incorporating probation services, public sector prisons, contracted prisons and partnerships for the provision of offender management. Director appointments will be finalised early in 2009 and NOMS management are currently designing the regional structures and finalising staff numbers. Final staff numbers will be available in March 2009.
	The director of offender management role has been evaluated, in all cases, to be senior civil servant (SCS) pay band 2. The salaries paid will be commensurate with this pay band and are expected to be in the region of 80,000 to 120,000. The exact salaries of the directors will be different because the roles vary in scale and this will be recognised accordingly.
	It is expected that the savings generated from the regional restructuring in the National Offender Management Service, which includes the creation and appointment of directors of Offender Management will be in the order of 5 million to 10 million.
	The job description and person specification have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Open Prisons: Prisoner Escapes

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to his answer of 11 December 2008,  Official Report, column 300-1W, on open prisons: prisoner escapes, what plans he has to reduce the number of absconds from open prisons.

David Hanson: Levels of abscond have fallen over the last decade and are still declining. They are now 54 per cent. lower than in 1996-97. Prisoners undergo a risk assessment process before been considered for open conditions and those considered to be at risk of absconding are not allocated to the open estate. Open prisons take a variety of actions to reduce absconding including effective screening of prisoners when they arrive at the prison coupled with intelligence work within the prison to identify potential absconders and send them back to closed conditions. Work is also being undertaken with the police and CPS to ensure that wherever possible absconders are prosecuted as a deterrent to others. Despite excellent progress in this area we are far from complacent and in the coming year the National Offender Management Service will be building on these achievements to ensure that the downward trend in absconds continues and that best practice is spread across all areas of the country.

Open Prisons: Prisoner Escapes

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 11 December 2008,  Official Report, columns 300-01W, on open prisons: prisoner escapes, what each of the 125 offences committed by prisoners while unlawfully at large in each of the last 24 months was.

David Hanson: Data in the following table show the main categories of further offences that prisoners have been charged with committing while unlawfully at large from open prisons in England and Wales between December 2006 and November 2008.
	
		
			  Further offences with which prisoners were charged while unlawfully at large from open prisons during the period 1 December 2006 to 30 November 2008 
			  Offence type  Total recorded 
			 Assault 8 
			 Breach of ASBO 1 
			 Burglary 16 
			 Criminal damage 3 
			 Other driving-related offence 1 
			 Driving whilst disqualified 1 
			 Drug offence 9 
			 Drunk and disorderly 1 
			 Firearm 3 
			 Fraud 1 
			 Murder 1 
			 Obstruct police 1 
			 Other (offence not specified) 21 
			 Possession of weapon 1 
			 Robbery 11 
			 Shoplifting 3 
			 Theft 23 
			 Theft of vehicle 1 
			 Vehicle crime 18 
			 Wounding 1 
			 Total 125 
			  Notes: 1. Data shown are for charges brought against prisoners. Data are not available on outcome following charging. 2. The prisoner who committed the murder then committed suicide and so was not charged. 3. These figures have been drawn from live administrative data systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system. 
		
	
	Figures on absconds and a range of other prison performance statistics are also available at:
	http://www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk/abouttheservice/prisonperformance/performancestatistics/

Political Parties and Elections Bill

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he intends that the Political Parties and Elections Bill will be enacted before the June 2009 European and local elections.

Michael Wills: The timing of Royal Assent of the Political Parties and Elections Bill, which the Justice Secretary introduced to this House on 17 July, and the commencement of its provisions will depend on its progress through Parliament. However, as I said in response to the question of 26 November 2008,  Official Report, column 1684-85W) and during the Committee Stage of the Political Parties and Elections Bill on 18 November 2008,  Official Report, column 281, even if the Bill receives Royal Assent before the European Parliamentary elections on 4 June 2009, we do not plan to commence the provisions in clause 16 of the Bill before that date.

Political Parties and Elections Bill

Andrew Tyrie: EWCA Crim 1094 and  (b) the Fifth Report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Wills: Clause 11 of the Political Parties and Elections Bill would reintroduce the long-standing principle which existed prior to the passage of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 that all spending used by candidates for the purposes of their election campaign should count towards the candidate spending limit (often referred to as triggering).
	The legislation defining candidate spending has been updated since the previous system of triggering was in place and clause 11 does not propose a return to the precise wording that existed prior to 2000. Section 76 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (the 1983 Act) described candidate expenses as those on account of or in respect of the conduct or management of the election. This wording was removed from section 76 of the 1983 Act by section 132 of the 2000 Act. Section 27 of the Electoral Administration Act 2006 (the 2006 Act) inserted new section 90ZA into the 1983 Act, which clarifies that election expenses in relation to a candidate at an election means any expenses incurred at any time in respect of any matter specified in Part 1 of Schedule 4A of the 1983 Act (also inserted by section 27 of the 2006 Act) which is used for the purposes of the candidate's election after the date when he becomes a candidate at the election. A person is defined as a 'candidate' according to section 118A of the 1983 Act.
	Clause 11 of the Bill would not restore the previous wording of the 1983 Act. Rather it amends section 90ZA such that the definition of election expenses is capable of including those expenses incurred and used by a person before that person formally becomes a 'candidate' by virtue of section 118 A.
	, which quoted from the Neill Report. The then Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, Lord Bingham of Cornhill, noted that there was no simple and decisive test to determine whether an expense was or was not to be regarded as en election expense within the meaning of the Act at the time.
	In the case of which items should count towards election expenses, Neill specifically criticised Schedule 3 of the 1983 Act. That Schedule provided a form of return for candidates to complete their declaration as to election expenses. As Neill noted, however, the form largely reproduced the equivalent Schedule in the Corrupt and Illegal Practices Act of 1883 and was therefore considerably out of date. Neill recommended that the Schedule should be revised such that it contained a full and up to date list of items of expenditure (recommendation 46). The 2000 Act accordingly repealed Schedule 3 of the 1983 Act. The 2006 Act inserted new Schedule 4A into the 1983 Act. This Schedule lists in detail the matters which are, and are not, to be regarded as election expenses, providing far greater clarity for candidates than under the previous system of triggering that existed before 2000.
	In the case of determining when a constituency campaign is deemed to have begun, Neill noted the considerable doubt on this point for candidates and political parties, as the 1983 Act made no attempt to define the period of the election or the election campaign. However, Neill concluded despite the difficulties, it is possible for parties, nationally as well as locally, to distinguish in most situations between election and non-election spending.
	Neill therefore recommended that the precedent established by the 1983 Act should continue to be followed, and that expenditure limits should continue to be set in terms of the purpose for which expenditure is incurred rather than in terms of any specified time period (recommendation 51). It is this principle, specifically endorsed by the Neill Report, which clause 11 of the Bill seeks to restore with regard to the candidate spending limit.
	As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor said during the first evidence session of the Public Bill Committee, the trigger arrangements are not perfect, but they did act as a dampener. The Government believe that the changes made to the legislation since the passage of the 2000 Act are significant steps in addressing the points made in the Neill Report and the Fiona Jones judgement relating to determining the purpose of expenditure.

Political Parties and Elections Bill

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer to the right hon. Member for Horsham (Mr. Maude) of 15 September 2008,  Official Report, column 2028W, on the Political Parties and Elections Bill 2007-08, if he will issue guidance on whether the proof of two elements  (a) that the expenditure should be closely related to the machinery of an election and  (b) that the expenses should be primarily or principally incurred for the promotion of the interests of the candidate will again apply in defining local candidate expenditure under the reintroduced trigger rules.

Michael Wills: The Ministry of Justice has no plans to issue guidance on these points. Clause 12 of the Bill provides that the Electoral Commission may issue guidance, supplementing the definition in section 90ZA(3) of the Representation of the People Act 1983, as to the case or circumstances in which expenses are, or are not, to be regarded as incurred for the purposes of a candidate's election.

Political Parties: Finance

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer to the right hon. Member for Horsham (Mr. Maude) of 15 September 2008,  Official Report, column 2028W, on political parties: finance, what assumptions were made in preparing the impact assessments for the Bill of the consequences of the Electoral Commission guidance on trigger rules being issued after the rules have been commenced at Royal Assent.

Michael Wills: Clause 12 of the Political Parties and Elections Bill amends an existing power granted to the Electoral Commission to issue a code of practice giving guidance on the list of regulated matters for candidate spending (set out in part 1 of schedule 4A of the Representation of the People Act 1983, as inserted by the Electoral Administration Act 2006). Clause 12 of the Bill provides that the Commission may also include in any code of practice guidance, supplementing the definition in section 90ZA(3) of the 1983 Act, on when expenditure will be regarded as for election purposes.
	Clause 11 of the Bill would alter the regulation of candidate expenditure such that all expenditure used for the purposes of an individual's election will be regulated by the candidate spending limit, regardless of when that expenditure is incurred.
	In preparing the impact assessment for clause 11, no assumption was made about the length of time between the commencement of clause 11 of the Bill and the production of a code, of practice or other guidance by the Electoral Commission.
	As stated in the answer provided on 15 September, a code of practice is not a prerequisite to clause 11 of the Bill coming into force. Nevertheless, as my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor clearly stated during the first public evidence session of the Bill's Committee stages on 4 November, it is our intention that guidance from the Commission should be in place before the commencement of clause 11.

Political Parties: Finance

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he plans to raise the de minimis level for recording donations to political parties from 200 to reflect inflation since the limit was first introduced.

Michael Wills: As I said during Committee stage debates on the Bill, the Government are keen to secure broad consensus to the package of reforms in the Political Parties and Elections Bill. With that in mind, the Government will consider whether it is appropriate to raise the 200 threshold for recording donations contained in the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA). We are open to representations on this point.

Political Parties: Finance

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 6 November 2008,  Official Report, column 752W, on political parties: finance, if he will make it his policy for statutory guidance which is approved by the Secretary of State and which originates from government-sponsored legislation to be compliant with the Government's Code of Practice on Guidance on Regulation, with specific reference to the time for consultation on and compliance with regulation.

Michael Wills: We have no current plans to do so.

Political Parties: Finance

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer to the right hon. Member for Horsham (Mr. Maude) of 17 September 2008,  Official Report, columns 2291-2W, on political parties: finance, whether hon. Members who are deemed to have breached the rules of the Communications Allowance by the House, by virtue of promoting themselves in a partisan manner, will be deemed to have triggered their local candidates' election expenses under the proposed new trigger rules.

Michael Wills: As I wrote in a letter sent to Members of Public Bill Committee on the Political Parties and Elections Bill on 19 November 2008, a copy of which I have placed in the Library of the House, depending on the circumstances of the case, and depending on the nature of the expenditure that led to a complaint, if an MP was found guilty of abusing the Communications Allowance then the follow-on effect might well be that the expenditure would have triggered that MP's candidate expenditure limit. That would be the case where the Communications Allowance is used to fund expenditure on a matter listed in schedule 4A for the purposes of promoting his or her election as a candidate at a general election. However, being found guilty of breaching the rules regarding use of the allowance would not automatically lead to a triggering of an MP's election expenses.

Prison Sentences

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners currently serving prison sentences have served beyond their original or adjusted tariff.

David Hanson: On 15 December 2008 there were 3,900 indeterminate sentenced prisoners in custody recorded as being beyond their original or adjusted tariff.
	This figure is taken from the Public Protection Unit Database (PPUD) within the National Offender Management Service. As with any large scale recording system, it is subject to possible errors arising from either data entry or processing.
	It remains for the Parole Board to determine whether the risk presented by any lifer or IPP offender is such that it may be safely managed in the community.

Prisoner Escapes

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners have escaped from police, Prison Service or contracted agents' custody whilst in transit or otherwise whilst under escort outside the secure custodial estate in each of the last 10 years.

David Hanson: Levels of escapes are currently at their lowest levels since central recording of this data began in 1995. Data in the following table show the number of prisoners who have escaped from escort between April 1998 and March 2008 broken down by  (a) Prison Service escorts  (b) contractor escorts. Data on numbers of escapes from police escorts is not collated centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by contacting every police force in the country.
	
		
			  Number of Prisoners who have escaped from escort 
			   HMPS Escorts  Contractor Escorts( 1)  Total 
			 1998-99 7 55 62 
			 1999-2000 8 59 67 
			 2000-01 8 58 66 
			 2001-02 11 40 51 
			 2002-03 12 33 45 
			 2003-04 6 33 39 
			 2004-05 8 28 36 
			 2005-06 8 17 25 
			 2006-07 6 19 25 
			 2007-08 2 16 18 
			 (1). Data on escapes from contractor escorts includes escorts from police station to court as these are carried out by National Offender Management Service contractors. These figures do not include other police-related escort escapes such as escapes whilst been transported from point of arrest to police station or transport between police stations.  Notes: 1. All figures shown are for KPI Escapes recorded as part of the NOMS performance management system. 2. These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system.

Prisoners

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the average population of  (a) the open prison estate and  (b) the entire prison estate in England and Wales was in each of the last five years.

David Hanson: Figures relating to the total numbers of prisoners detained in both  (a) all open prison establishments in England and Wales, and  (b) the entire prison estate in England and Wales as at 30 June 2004 to 2008 can be found in the following table:
	
		
			  Open and total prison population as at 30 June 2004 to 2008 (England and Wales) 
			   Total open( 1)  prisons  Total prison population 
			 2004 4,439 74,488 
			 2005 4,410 76,190 
			 2006 3,831 77,982 
			 2007 4,252 79,734 
			 2008 5,857 83,194 
			 (1) Excludes those prison establishments which are not wholly open 
		
	
	The information regarding the total prison population can be found at the following website:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/populationincustody.htm
	Information regarding the status of individual prisons can be found at the following website:
	http://www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk/prisoninformation/locateaprison/
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Prisoners

Edward Timpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate he has made of the effect on trends in the prison population of implementing section 12 of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004.

David Hanson: Many changes in legislation and policy with a definite timetable for implementation are incorporated into the published prison population projections.
	The most significant factors which the Department deems relevant to and incorporates into the projections are:
	Trends in sentencing behaviour, such as sentence lengths and custody rates.
	Trends in crime, incorporated through the Criminal Justice System model.
	Legislative impacts, such as the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008.
	Procedural impacts, such as the Simple, Speedy, Summary Justice (CJSSS) scheme, and measures to increase offences brought to justice contributing to PSA24.
	Factors that do not have an agreed timetable for implementation, such as the implementation of SI2 of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004, cannot be incorporated in the projections. However, analysis of options for implementation of S12 and their effects on the prison population will be made in preparation for commencement of that measure.
	More details on the prison projections may be found in the latest published bulletin, 'Prison Population Projections 2008-2015' Ministry of Justice Statistics Bulletin, 18 September 2008. This is available at the following webpage:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/prisonpopulation.htm.

Prisoners Release

Iain Duncan Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps the Government is taking to reduce the length of time between a prisoner's release and receipt of financial assistance.

David Hanson: Officials from National Offender Management Service (NOMS) and the Department for Work and Pensions are working in partnership to ensure offenders receive financial assistance and benefits without unnecessary delay once released. Where there is a delay in receiving benefit claimed for, this is normally due to incorrectly completed benefit application forms or lack of formal identification. NOMS is now assisting offenders in gaining formal identification as part of normal resettlement processes and works closely with visiting Jobcentre Plus officials to ensure timely and accurate applications are made wherever possible. NOMS has also embarked on a number of other initiatives to assist in this process such as; exploring the benefits of arranging bank accounts, providing money management advice, financial capability training and assistance with setting up a Freshstart interview with Jobcentre Plus on release.

Prisoners Release

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how long on average it takes for an ex-prisoner to receive his discharge grant.

David Hanson: All eligible prisoners are paid the discharge grant at the point of release from custody.

Prisoners Release: Foreigners

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many foreign national prisoners released from prison and subject to offender management programmes have breached the conditions and obligations of such programmes in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many foreign national prisoners released from prison and subject to offender management programmes and residency requirements  (a) who have breached those residency requirements and  (b) have whereabouts unknown to the National Offender Management Service there were in each of the last three years;
	(3)  how many foreign national prisoners released on licence have failed to report to their offender manager in each of the last five years.

David Hanson: While information is collected by probation areas and trusts that list breaches of licence condition, it does not record offender's nationality.

Prisoners Release: Foreigners

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice on how many occasions offender managers in cases involving foreign national prisoners whose cases fall within the scope of the victim contact scheme have not informed victim liaison officers of a prisoner's release into the community from custodial or immigration detention in each of the last three years.

David Hanson: This information is not collated centrally by the National Offender Management Service. To attempt to obtain the information requested would require manual checking of case files and interviews with members of staff and would incur disproportionate cost.

Prisoners Release: Foreigners

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many foreign national prisoners granted immigration bail by Asylum and Immigration Tribunals have subsequently reoffended in each of the last five years.

David Hanson: Information relating to the numbers of foreign national prisoners subject to deportation action who have completed their custodial sentence and been released on bail is not centrally collated at present. Similarly, reoffending data do not specifically identify the number of foreign national prisoners who reoffend. In order to provide the information requested it would be necessary to examine individual case files at disproportionate cost.
	When a foreign criminal who is subject to deportation action is granted bail by the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal and it is believed that the individual presents a risk of harm to the public, the UK Border Agency will always request that the most robust restrictions are imposed upon the individual in order to minimise the likelihood that they will reoffend. The agency will continue to pursue deportation action against such individuals and is on track to not only meet but exceed its target of deportation or removing 5,000 foreign criminals in 2008. Good progress has also been made overall in reducing reoffending; the latest figures show that between 2000 and 2006 the number of reoffences committed by offenders released from custody has fallen 15.1 per cent.

Prisoners: Armed Forces

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many  (a) male and  (b) female former members of the (i) Royal Navy, (ii) Army, (iii) and Royal Air Force are in prison; and what studies his Department has (A) commissioned and (B) evaluated in links between service in the armed forces and subsequent behaviour leading to detention.

David Hanson: The information requested is not available. Although data from nationally representative surveys of some 2,000 sentenced prisoners near release conducted in 2001, 2003 and 2004 showed that the proportion of prisoners who had previously served in the armed forces in those years as 6 per cent., 4 per cent, and 5 per cent, respectively, no research was done on the particular problems raised in the question.
	We are currently exploring with the Ministry of Defence ways to better identify the number of veterans currently serving prison sentences as well as the factors associated with their offending. A number of options are currently being assessed.

Prisoners: Custody

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many adult prisoners serving indeterminate sentences for public protection were in custody on 15 December 2008 beyond their minimum tariff;
	(2)  how many adults were serving indeterminate sentences for public protection on 15 December 2008.

David Hanson: On 15 December 2008 there were 1,224 indeterminate sentence for public protection prisoners aged over 18, in custody, recorded as being beyond their original or adjusted tariff.
	As of 15 December 2008, there were 4,581 offenders, aged over 18 years old recorded as serving indeterminate sentences for public protection.
	These figures are taken from the Public Protection Unit Database within the National Offender Management Service. As with any large scale recording system, it is subject to possible errors arising from either data entry or processing.
	It is for the independent Parole Board to determine whether the risk presented by an offender serving an indeterminate sentence of imprisonment for public protection is such that it may be safely managed in the community.

Prisoners: Foreign Nationality

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many  (a) Swedish and  (b) Danish nationals are serving sentences in prisons in England and Wales.

David Hanson: At the end of September 2008 there were  (a) 15 Swedish and  (b) eight Danish prisoners serving sentences in prison establishments in England and Wales.
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Prisoners: Islam

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many Muslim prisoners there were in each prison in October  (a) 2003,  (b) 2004,  (c) 2005,  (d) 2006,  (e) 2007 and  (f) 2008; and what proportion of prisoners this represented in each prison.

David Hanson: Figures showing the numbers and percentages of Muslim prisoners in each prison establishment in England and Wales on 30 June each year can be found in the following tables.
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing, and prisons with fewer than 50 Muslim prisoners have been excluded.
	
		
			  Numbers and proportions on Muslim prisoners by prison June 2003 to June 2008 
			  30 June 2003 
			   Muslim prisoners  Percentage of total 
			 Pentonville 193 16 
			 Wandsworth 178 12 
			 Brixton 164 20 
			 Wormwood Scrubs 154 13 
			 Dover 151 51 
			 Belmarsh 145 16 
			 Birmingham 138 15 
			 Leeds 135 11 
			 Bullingdon 132 14 
			 The Mount 128 17 
			 Dovegate 110 13 
			 Manchester 107 8 
			 Swaleside 105 14 
			 Moorland Closed 102 13 
			 Feltham 92 14 
			 Lindholme 91 12 
			 Rye Hill 84 13 
			 Risley 83 8 
			 Woodhill 83 11 
			 Wayland 79 11 
			 Forest Bank 74 7 
			 Elmley 74 7 
			 Highpoint 74 11 
			 Blakenhurst 74 8 
			 Whitemoor 73 18 
			 Garth 71 11 
			 Featherstone 70 11 
			 Haslar 69 50 
			 Full Sutton 68 11 
			 Liverpool 68 5 
			 Lowdham Grange 67 13 
			 Camp Hill 67 13 
			 Parkhurst 65 13 
			 Sudbury 64 12 
			 Aylesbury 64 18 
			 Doncaster 63 6 
			 Frankland 62 10 
			 Long Lartin 60 14 
			 Wealstun 59 9 
			 Grendon/Spring Hill 57 11 
			 Stocken 57 9 
			 High Down 53 7 
			 Wellingborough 53 10 
			 Standford Hill 53 12 
			 Stafford 52 8 
			 Onley 52 10 
			 Everthorpe 51 11 
			 Portland 50 12 
			
			 Total Muslim prisoners 6,136  
			 All prisoners 73,657  
			 Muslims as percentage of all 8  
		
	
	
		
			  30 June 2004 
			   Muslim prisoners  Percentage of total 
			 Pentonville 220 18 
			 Wormwood Scrubs 213 17 
			 Birmingham 193 14 
			 Wandsworth 185 13 
			 Brixton 164 20 
			 Belmarsh 147 16 
			 Leeds 140 11 
			 Swaleside 127 16 
			 Feltham 125 20 
			 Bullingdon 122 13 
			 Dovegate 119 14 
			 The Mount 114 15 
			 Manchester 112 9 
			 Rye Hill 104 16 
			 Highpoint 99 12 
			 Dover 95 39 
			 Risley 88 8 
			 Forest Bank 86 9 
			 Woodhill 85 11 
			 Doncaster 84 8 
			 Full Sutton 82 14 
			 Moorland Closed 78 10 
			 Portland 78 17 
			 Lindholme 75 11 
			 Wayland 74 11 
			 Whitemoor 74 18 
			 Sudbury 73 13 
			 Camp Hill 72 13 
			 Garth 71 11 
			 Lowdham Grange 66 13 
			 Featherstone 65 11 
			 Ranby 64 8 
			 Grendon/Spring Hill 63 12 
			 Norwich 62 9 
			 High Down 62 8 
			 Parkhurst 61 12 
			 Blakenhurst 61 7 
			 Brinsford 60 14 
			 Elmley 58 6 
			 Liverpool 58 4 
			 Long Lartin 58 13 
			 Blundeston 58 13 
			 Stocken 57 9 
			 Frankland 56 8 
			 Aylesbury 54 15 
			 Nottingham 53 10 
			 Everthorpe 52 11 
			 Standford Hill 50 11 
			 Littlehey 50 7 
			
			 Total Muslim prisoners 6,571  
			 All prisoners 74,488  
			 Muslims as percentage of all 9  
		
	
	
		
			  30 June 2005 
			   Muslim prisoners  Percentage of total 
			 Wormwood Scrubs 237 19 
			 Pentonville 217 18 
			 Wandsworth 209 15 
			 Birmingham 163 11 
			 Brixton 162 20 
			 Belmarsh 146 16 
			 Leeds 135 11 
			 Swaleside 134 17 
			 Bullingdon 134 14 
			 Feltham 130 21 
			 Manchester 126 10 
			 Rye Hill 126 21 
			 The Mount 125 18 
			 Dover 123 43 
			 Lindholme 115 14 
			 Dovegate 110 14 
			 Highpoint 107 13 
			 Blakenhurst 105 10 
			 Woodhill 93 12 
			 High Down 90 12 
			 Wealstun 88 11 
			 Garth 86 13 
			 Moorland Closed 86 11 
			 Full Sutton 85 14 
			 Featherstone 84 14 
			 Doncaster 83 8 
			 Elmley 81 8 
			 Portland 77 20 
			 Blundeston 75 16 
			 Whitemoor 75 17 
			 Aylesbury 75 18 
			 Swinfen Hall 72 12 
			 Ranby 71 7 
			 Wayland 69 10 
			 Liverpool 68 5 
			 Long Lartin 67 15 
			 Wymott 65 6 
			 Forest Bank 65 6 
			 Risley 64 6 
			 Rochester 63 16 
			 Frankland 63 9 
			 Grendon/Spring Hill 63 12 
			 Camp Hill 62 11 
			 Lowdham Grange 62 13 
			 The Verne 60 10 
			 Maidstone 60 11 
			 Ashwell 59 11 
			 Glen Parva 58 7 
			 Norwich 57 7 
			 Brinsford 56 13 
			 Littlehey 55 8 
			 Sudbury 53 10 
			 Onley 53 10 
			 Bedford 53 11 
			 Kirkham 53 10 
			 Preston 52 9 
			 Chelmsford 50 9 
			 Ford 50 10 
			
			 Total Muslim prisoners 7,246  
			 All prisoners 76,190  
			 Muslims as percentage of all 10  
		
	
	
		
			  30 June 2006 
			   Muslim prisoners  Percentage of total 
			 Wandsworth 263 18 
			 Wormwood Scrubs 241 19 
			 Pentonville 220 19 
			 Brixton 197 25 
			 Birmingham 188 13 
			 Feltham 180 30 
			 Manchester 171 14 
			 Belmarsh 154 17 
			 Highpoint 151 19 
			 Leeds 144 12 
			 The Mount 139 19 
			 Bullingdon 133 14 
			 Wealstun 133 17 
			 Swaleside 132 17 
			 Dovegate 129 16 
			 Lindholme 129 15 
			 Rye Hill 121 20 
			 Ranby 109 11 
			 Woodhill 107 14 
			 Forest Bank 103 10 
			 Dover 100 40 
			 Lowdham Grange 97 18 
			 Doncaster 92 8 
			 Long Lartin 91 21 
			 High Down 89 12 
			 Aylesbury 88 20 
			 Wellingborough 86 14 
			 Portland 85 18 
			 Maidstone 83 14 
			 Wayland 83 12 
			 Blakenhurst 83 8 
			 Full Sutton 82 14 
			 Moorland Closed 80 10 
			 Swinfen Hall 79 13 
			 Onley 77 13 
			 Ashwell 77 14 
			 Elmley 76 8 
			 Blundeston 73 16 
			 Frankland 73 10 
			 Whitemoor 73 17 
			 Rochester 71 18 
			 Glen Parva 70 9 
			 Risley 69 6 
			 The Verne 68 12 
			 Bedford 67 14 
			 Sudbury 66 12 
			 Huntercombe 65 18 
			 Liverpool 65 5 
			 Littlehey 64 9 
			 Stocken 64 10 
			 Everthorpe 64 10 
			 Stafford 62 9 
			 Haslar 61 43 
			 Peterborough 60 7 
			 Parkhurst 60 12 
			 Brinsford 59 13 
			 Featherstone 58 9 
			 Chelmsford 57 10 
			 Norwich 57 7 
			 Camp Hill 56 10 
			 Grendon/Spring Hill 56 11 
			 Garth 55 9 
			 Stoke Heath 55 8 
			 Coldingley 54 14 
			 Canterbury 54 19 
			 Whatton 51 7 
			 Parc 51 5 
			 Cardiff 51 7 
			 Buckley Hall 51 14 
			 Wakefield 51 7 
			 Holme House 50 5 
			
			 Total Muslim prisoners 8,243  
			 All prisoners 77,982  
			 Muslims as percentage of all 11  
		
	
	
		
			  30 June 2007 
			   Muslim prisoners  Percentage of total 
			 Wandsworth 273 19 
			 Wormwood Scrubs 265 21 
			 Pentonville 239 21 
			 Brixton 209 26 
			 Birmingham 194 13 
			 Feltham 176 29 
			 Belmarsh 175 19 
			 The Mount 163 23 
			 Manchester 159 13 
			 Highpoint 149 19 
			 Swaleside 144 18 
			 Wealstun 140 18 
			 Dovegate 139 17 
			 Doncaster 132 12 
			 Lindholme 130 13 
			 Lowdham Grange 129 20 
			 Ranby 129 13 
			 Rye Hill 125 19 
			 Leeds 123 12 
			 Bullingdon 122 13 
			 Portland 116 21 
			 Woodhill 114 14 
			 Wellingborough 110 17 
			 Dover 110 37 
			 Blakenhurst 106 10 
			 Long Lartin 105 24 
			 Forest Bank 103 10 
			 Aylesbury 101 23 
			 Chelmsford 100 15 
			 Onley 96 16 
			 Whitemoor 94 20 
			 High Down 90 12 
			 Risley 88 8 
			 Ashwell 87 16 
			 Blundeston 85 18 
			 Maidstone 78 13 
			 Sudbury 78 15 
			 Moorland Closed 77 10 
			 Full Sutton 77 13 
			 The Verne 76 13 
			 Wayland 74 11 
			 Swinfen Hall 74 12 
			 Grendon/Spring Hill 74 14 
			 Elmley 74 8 
			 Frankland 73 10 
			 Canterbury 72 26 
			 Brinsford 71 15 
			 Featherstone 71 12 
			 Peterborough 69 8 
			 Rochester 67 17 
			 Glen Parva 67 8 
			 Stafford 67 10 
			 Huntercombe 66 18 
			 Stocken 63 10 
			 Wakefield 61 8 
			 Littlehey 61 9 
			 Cardiff 61 8 
			 Buckley Hall 60 16 
			 Gartree 60 10 
			 Camp Hill 60 10 
			 Everthorpe 58 9 
			 Stoke Heath 58 9 
			 Edmunds Hill 58 16 
			 Bedford 57 12 
			 Coldingley 57 15 
			 Liverpool 57 4 
			 Parc 56 5 
			 Wymott 55 5 
			 Parkhurst 53 10 
			 Norwich 52 9 
			 Garth 51 8 
			 Guys Marsh 50 9 
			
			 Total Muslim prisoners 8,864  
			 All prisoners 79,734  
			 Muslims as percentage of all 11  
		
	
	
		
			  30 June 2008 
			   Muslim prisoners  Percentage of total 
			 Wandsworth 350 21 
			 Wormwood Scrubs 289 23 
			 Pentonville 263 23 
			 Birmingham 222 15 
			 Brixton 215 27 
			 The Mount 208 27 
			 Swaleside 185 24 
			 Feltham 185 29 
			 Lindholme 183 17 
			 Belmarsh 181 20 
			 Hewell 174 12 
			 High Down 165 15 
			 Highpoint 157 19 
			 Manchester 144 12 
			 Lowdham Grange 142 21 
			 Ranby 142 13 
			 Whitemoor 140 34 
			 Dovegate 138 16 
			 Portland 125 20 
			 Bullingdon 124 12 
			 Wayland 123 13 
			 Leeds 121 12 
			 Aylesbury 120 27 
			 Rye Hill 118 19 
			 Chelmsford 118 17 
			 Woodhill 113 14 
			 Full Sutton 109 19 
			 Rochester 108 28 
			 Wellingborough 107 17 
			 Doncaster 106 9 
			 Forest Bank 106 9 
			 Long Lartin 106 24 
			 Blundeston 104 20 
			 Dover 104 34 
			 Swinfen Hall 100 16 
			 Onley 98 15 
			 The Verne 94 16 
			 Canterbury 92 30 
			 Risley 90 8 
			 Sudbury 87 15 
			 Huntercombe 81 23 
			 Moorland Closed 80 10 
			 Garth 79 10 
			 Stocken 77 10 
			 Featherstone 76 11 
			 Grendon/Spring Hill 76 15 
			 Glen Parva 75 9 
			 Wealstun 74 14 
			 Elmley 73 7 
			 Brinsford 72 14 
			 Wymott 72 7 
			 Bedford 71 14 
			 Peterborough 71 7 
			 Camp Hill 70 12 
			 Ashwell 69 13 
			 Littlehey 68 10 
			 Maidstone 67 14 
			 Wakefield 66 9 
			 Liverpool 65 5 
			 Everthorpe 65 10 
			 Edmunds Hill 64 18 
			 Whatton 62 8 
			 Gartree 62 11 
			 Frankland 60 8 
			 Parc 57 5 
			 Preston 57 8 
			 Ford 55 10 
			 Norwich 54 10 
			 Buckley Hall 53 14 
			 Hindley 52 11 
			 Cardiff 52 7 
			 Stafford 52 8 
			 Bullwood Hall 52 24 
			 Coldingley 51 13 
			
			 Total Muslim prisoners 9,795  
			 All prisoners 83,194  
			 Muslims as percentage of all 12  
			  Note: Prisons with fewer than 50 Muslim prisoners have been excluded.

Prisoners: Islam

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate he has made of the number of prisoners in each prison who have converted to Islam while in prison in  (a) 2008 and  (b) each of the previous five years.

David Hanson: The information requested is not collected in the form required, and could be obtained only at significant disproportionate cost. When a prisoner changes religion this is recorded locally by the chaplaincy team on the prisoner's record. There is no current requirement for this information to be collated centrally.

Prisons

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners were unable to attend workshops, courses or other rehabilitative sessions due to wing refurbishment or other building works in each prison in England and Wales in the last year for which figures are available; for how many days prisoners were made to attend such courses in that period; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) do not hold information on the number of prisoners that were unable to attend workshops, courses or other rehabilitative sessions due to wing refurbishment or other buildings works in prisons in England and Wales.
	Building works and refurbishments are essential to enable the Prison Service to ensure that the existing facilities are maintained and additionally to provide the number of prisoner places required to meet the needs of an increasing prison population. Since April 2007 the capacity programme has delivered 4,162 essential additional prisoner places.
	Every effort is made to prevent disruption to prison regimes and each prison endeavours to continue to provide a range of purposeful activities. NOMS measures the amount of purposeful activity recorded on average by every prisoner, the outturn for 2007-08 was 25.3 hours per prisoner per week.
	The following table provides details of the workshop, education and rehabilitation hours completed by prisoners in all prisons in England and Wales during the period 2007-08.
	
		
			  Average number of hours per prisoner per week 
			  Prison name  Education  Production workshops  OBPs  Tackling substance abuse 
			 Acklington 4.94 3.64 0.50 0.12 
			 Albany 3.17 5.44 0.92 0.02 
			 Altcourse 8.67 4.16 0.24 1.55 
			 Ashfield 15.74 0.00 0.06 0.25 
			 Ashwell 3.97 7.45 0.32 0.33 
			 Askham Grange 9.02 0.00 0.00 0.14 
			 Aylesbury 6.20 0.75 0.80 0.21 
			 Bedford 3.23 1.64 0.00 0.61 
			 Belmarsh 1.98 1.87 0.00 0.64 
			 Birmingham 4.60 3.95 0.00 0.29 
			 Blakenhurst 3.53 3.77 0.76 0.34 
			 Blantyre House 4.31 0.00 0.00 0.16 
			 Blundeston 3.13 6.25 0.43 0.44 
			 Brinsford 8.36 0.00 0.17 0.31 
			 Bristol 2.80 1.38 0.08 0.42 
			 Brixton 1.88 0.00 0.02 0.34 
			 Brockhill 6.06 2.75 0.00 0.23 
			 Bronzefield 5.53 0.46 0.00 0.35 
			 Buckley Hall 6.10 3.89 0.16 0.16 
			 Bullingdon 3.36 3.51 1.02 1.89 
			 Bullwood Hall 6.91 1.91 0.00 0.18 
			 Camp Hill 3.53 3.78 0.14 0.36 
			 Canterbury 2.81 4.57 0.00 0.15 
			 Cardiff 2.95 2.84 0.00 1.71 
			 Castington 9.13 0.00 0.29 0.23 
			 Channings Wood 5.16 3.47 0.17 2.95 
			 Chelmsford 3.57 3.35 0.12 0.12 
			 Coldingley 3.97 9.37 0.00 2.23 
			 Cookham Wood 5.79 9.10 0.37 0.35 
			 Dartmoor 2.88 4.03 0.22 0.56 
			 Deerbolt 6.74 0.68 0.33 0.41 
			 Doncaster 2.90 0.00 0.00 0.00 
			 Dorchester 4.34 0.00 0.00 0.88 
			 Downview 4.40 2.47 0.11 0.17 
			 Drake Hall 3.92 6.63 0.21 1.55 
			 Durham 2.80 1.26 0.11 0.42 
			 East Sutton Park 3.02 0.00 0.00 0.05 
			 Eastwood Park 4.87 0.00 0.00 0.68 
			 Edmunds Hill 5.48 0.49 0.04 0.34 
			 Elmley 2.73 2.92 0.15 0.36 
			 Erlestoke 5.27 3.16 0.26 0.71 
			 Everthorpe 12.25 0.00 0.17 1.81 
			 Exeter 3.35 1.95 0.54 0.18 
			 Featherstone 3.28 8.59 0.37 0.13 
			 Feltham 7.15 0.00 0.00 0.30 
			 Ford 5.23 6.61 0.04 0.32 
			 Forest Bank 3.10 2.96 0.00 0.72 
			 Foston Hall 6.71 0.88 0.13 0.63 
			 Frankland 4.03 2.24 0.64 0.14 
			 Full Sutton 3.07 2.22 0.26 0.15 
			 Garth 4.05 4.57 0.17 4.21 
			 Gartree 6.64 4.84 0.58 0.16 
			 Glen Parva 5.62 1.78 0.14 0.56 
			 Gloucester 2.92 0.00 0.00 1.12 
			 Grendon 3.28 0.00 0.55 0.05 
			 Guys Marsh 5.38 6.05 0.18 0.41 
			 Haverigg 4.08 7.19 0.00 0.33 
			 Hewell Grange 4.60 0.00 0.34 0.05 
			 High Down 2.55 0.93 0.00 0.49 
			 Highpoint 2.92 4.06 0.26 0.17 
			 Hindley 13.18 0.42 0.28 0.40 
			 Hollesley Bay 3.94 0.00 0.01 0.64 
			 Holloway 5.22 0.22 0.05 0.18 
			 Holme House 3.52 2.01 0.10 0.49 
			 Hull 4.62 2.75 0.59 0.13 
			 Huntercombe 10.25 0.00 0.00 0.40 
			 Kennet 8.16 0.00 0.07 0.16 
			 Kingston 3.85 7.50 0.43 0.05 
			 Kirkham 3.89 5.95 0.00 0.46 
			 Kirklevington 3.21 0.00 0.00 0.33 
			 Lancaster 3.51 0.68 0.00 1.58 
			 Lancaster Farms 8.65 0.00 0.17 0.59 
			 Latchmere House 7.68 0.48 0.00 0.16 
			 Leeds 4.28 2.97 0.00 0.19 
			 Leicester 5.06 0.00 1.70 4.52 
			 Lewes 2.91 1.65 0.23 0.12 
			 Leyhill 3.95 3.31 0.17 0.22 
			 Lincoln 1.49 5.22 0.00 0.56 
			 Lindholme 6.22 1.41 0.09 0.37 
			 Littlehey 4.38 5.23 1.17 0.29 
			 Liverpool 5.50 4.02 0.07 0.03 
			 Long Lartin 2.78 3.09 0.33 0.20 
			 Low Newton 6.45 2.49 0.29 0.18 
			 Lowdham Grange 8.87 4.41 0.22 0.08 
			 Maidstone 2.32 5.59 0.42 0.27 
			 Manchester 4.00 4.35 0.22 0.42 
			 Moorland 7.88 3.78 0.28 0.14 
			 Morton Hall 4.42 12.53 0.04 0.05 
			 Mount 7.19 3.49 0.14 1.01 
			 New Hall 7.08 4.17 0.33 0.22 
			 North Sea Camp 3.92 0.00 0.00 0.60 
			 Northallerton 10.97 1.55 0.00 0.47 
			 Norwich 2.07 1.48 0.00 0.10 
			 Nottingham 1.94 3.31 0.00 0.39 
			 Onley 5.08 0.77 0.17 0.35 
			 Parc 3.98 5.64 0.36 0.20 
			 Parkhurst 3.19 4.42 0.29 0.28 
			 Pentonville 1.88 3.32 0.41 0.08 
			 Portland 5.10 0.56 0.15 0.29 
			 Preston 2.94 0.00 0.12 0.00 
			 Ranby 2.74 5.95 0.04 0.37 
			 Reading 4.18 0.00 0.33 1.41 
			 Risley 3.61 2.89 0.43 0.11 
			 Rochester 2.98 4.19 0.00 0.28 
			 Rye Hill 5.68 6.99 0.43 0.04 
			 Send 4.56 1.88 0.09 0.00 
			 Shepton Mallet 6.96 6.02 0.61 0.19 
			 Shrewsbury 2.99 5.02 0.00 0.30 
			 Stafford 4.26 8.12 0.61 0.12 
			 Standford Hill 3.06 2.28 0.01 0.16 
			 Stocken 4.92 3.29 0.15 0.24 
			 Stoke Heath 6.69 2.64 0.09 0.43 
			 Styal 5.85 1.49 0.00 0.34 
			 Sudbury 5.60 3.06 0.06 0.21 
			 Swaleside 3.83 2.63 0.32 0.46 
			 Swansea 1.37 3.27 0.80 0.20 
			 Swinfen Hall 7.32 1.07 0.86 0.41 
			 Thorn Cross 12.00 0.00 0.34 0.69 
			 Usk/Prescoed 10.01 0.38 0.58 0.14 
			 Verne 5.91 4.22 0.14 0.12 
			 Wakefield 4.83 3.03 0.43 0.07 
			 Wandsworth 5.00 1.90 0.15 0.94 
			 Warren Hill 16.34 0.00 0.13 0.49 
			 Wayland 5.01 2.26 0.68 0.05 
			 Wealstun 5.91 5.35 0.42 0.13 
			 Wellingborough 6.28 2.48 0.40 0.60 
			 Werrington 20.85 0.00 0.00 0.69 
			 Wetherby 11.66 0.00 0.14 0.42 
			 Wharton 3.53 4.81 1.49 0.02 
			 Whitemoor 3.43 2.86 0.26 0.07 
			 Winchester 2.91 1.69 0.00 0.62 
			 Wolds 8.99 3.86 0.24 0.27 
			 Woodhill 2.12 0.05 0.09 0.48 
			 Wormwood Scrubs 2.01 1.56 0.04 0.31 
			 Wymott 3.35 8.57 0.31 2.15 
			  Notes: 1. Data not available for Dovegate and Peterborough. 2. Immigration Removal Centres Dover and Haslar not included. 3. Breakdown for Lowdham Grange based on eight months out of 12.

Prisons

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisons are at more than 150 per cent. of in use certified normal accommodation.

David Hanson: On 31 October 2008 (latest available), there were 13 out of 140 prison establishments in England and Wales with more than 150 per cent of in use certified normal accommodation.
	This information has been taken from the Ministry of Justice publication Population in Custody Monthly Brief which can be found at the following website:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/populationincustody.htm
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Prisons

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what procedures must be followed to consult the governor of a prison on proposals to downgrade that prison.

David Hanson: Prison performance ratings are determined by Criminal Justice Strategy Group using a range of performance data. The proposed ratings are reviewed by the chief operating officer, National Offender Management Service (NOMS), who provides the opportunity for area managers to consult governors and propose moderation. Following consultation the chief operating officer may choose to submit a request to amend a rating to the moderation panel chaired by the director general of the Criminal Justice Strategy Group. Moderated ratings were published on the NOMS intranet on Friday 12 December 2008.

Prisons: Mental Health Services

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what account is taken of the security categorisation of prisoners when making decisions about moving prisoners to secure hospitals.

David Hanson: The prime concern when considering the suitability of a prisoner for transfer to a mental health hospital is to guard against danger to the public that may ensue should a patient escape from, or be improperly allowed out of, that hospital.
	While the prisoner's security category is an element of the consideration, account is taken of more far-reaching factors when making this decision. These include, but are not limited to:
	the type and nature of the offence
	length of sentence
	notoriety
	victim issues
	previous convictions
	behaviour in prison
	any previous absconds
	prisoner's security category
	views expressed by the court
	the medical practitioners' recommendations
	the prisoner's past and current presenting symptoms (e.g. actively suicidal or assaultative) clinical need

Prisons: Visits

David Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice at which prisons it is the practice to  (a) photograph and  (b) take fingerprint impressions from official visitors; and what action is taken in respect of such records following a visit.

David Hanson: There is no requirement for establishments to provide data to headquarters about how they use and operate their systems and there is no central record of numbers of these systems in place across the country.
	The information requested is not collated centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by contacting each prison individually.

Probation Service for England and Wales

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the size of the Probation Service's caseload in England and Wales is for  (a) community supervision,  (b) licence and  (c) through care.

David Hanson: At 30 June 2008, the number of offenders supervised by the Probation Service in England and Wales under community supervision was 147,786; the number supervised on post release licence was 31,583; and the number supervised pre-release was 68,407.
	These figures are taken from the Probation Statistics Quarterly Brief, April to June 2008, which can be found at the following website:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/probationquarterly.htm.
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Royal Family: Wills

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what discussions his Department and its predecessors have had with  (a) Buckingham Palace and  (b) lawyers acting for the Royal Family on the publication practice on Royal wills in the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: An application to seal a royal will is made to the Principal Registry of the Family Division and is decided by the President of the Family Division. In the last 10 years there have been two such applications; namely those in respect of Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. So far as I am aware, there have not been any discussions between my Department and its predecessors with Buckingham Palace or lawyers acting for the Royal Family in relation to the policy or practice on the publication of royal wills.

Sexual Offences: Drugs

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with reference to his answer of 26 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 1691-2W, on sexual offences: drugs, how many of the 11 convicted sex offenders referred for initial assessment have been given anti-libidinal drug treatment.

David Hanson: This information is not recorded centrally. Due to the small numbers involved the information could not be obtained and reported without breaching medical confidentiality.

Sight Impaired

Tom Levitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what guidelines his Department follows in respect of making printed materials and forms accessible to people suffering red/green colour blindness.

Michael Wills: The Department is committed to accessibility, and in respect of making printed materials and forms accessible, follows guidance which is consistent with the Royal National Institute for the Blind guidance and Central Office of Information Informability for making information accessible.
	The Department's standard approach is to produce information materials in black text on white background, which provides a good contrast for people with sight impairment, including red/green colour blindness. The Department also endeavours to provide alternative formats to meet specific needs, if required.

Young Offenders: Mental Health Services

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what meetings have taken place between the  (a) National Offender Management Service and  (b) Youth Justice Board and the Welsh Assembly Government to discuss the mental health needs of young offenders (i) in custody in Wales and (ii) in young offender institutions in England who have been assessed as requiring mental health services on release in each month of 2008; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: There is a joint Welsh Assembly Government and Youth Justice Board Youth Justice Committee for Wales that includes NOMS representation, which has responsibility for overseeing youth justice matters in Wales. This would include devolved areas of responsibility such as mental health matters for young people. The Committee meets on a quarterly basis and during 2008 met on;
	30 January 2008
	8 April 2008
	23 July 2008
	22 October 2008
	Outside the Committee there is ongoing dialogue with the Welsh Assembly Government about the provision of mental health services for people in the justice system.
	Bridgend Prison Health Partnership Board has recently forwarded a draft business case to the Welsh assembly Government for provision of Tier 2/3 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAHMS). That is now under consideration.
	For young offender institutes in England, there is a high level programme board the Health and Social Care Policy Development Programme Board, which meets quarterly. The board oversees a programme of cross government work for this group of vulnerable children. There is also a 'Health and Social Care Management Group' who meet monthly. Both of these meetings have representation from Ministry of Justice, Department of Health, Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Youth Justice Board.
	During 2008, the Health and Social Care Policy Development Programme Board met on;
	11 March 2008
	29 September 2008
	15 December 2008
	During 2008, the Health and Social Care Management Group met on;
	24 January 2008
	21 February 2008
	24 April 2008
	22 May 2008
	19 June 2008
	17 July 2008
	16 October 2008
	20 November 2008